2025 Award Recipients

J. Eldred Hill, Jr. Award Recipient 2025

Douglas J. Holmes

President,
UWC and National Foundation for Unemployment Compensation & Workers’ Compensation

Douglas J. Holmes has led UWC and the Foundation since 2007, advancing thoughtful reforms to strengthen the unemployment insurance (UI) system and support the employer community nationwide. A trusted policy voice, editor, and leader, Doug has helped shape federal and state discussions on UI financing, integrity, administration, and modernization.

Selected Contributions

Led successful advocacy to repeal the “temporary” FUTA 0.2% tax in 2011, saving employers billions in federal UI taxes.
Coordinated the National UI Issues Conference annually from 2007–2024.
Editor-in-Chief of the Highlights of State Unemployment Compensation Laws (2007–present).
Testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means on UI reform.
Served as subject-matter expert to USDOL, GAO, and national think tanks; advised multiple states on UI policy and administration.
Held leadership roles within ICESA and the National Governors Association on employment security financing.
Coordinated a 35-state coalition backing the “New Balance” proposal to improve administration and financing.
Earlier service in Ohio included UI Legal Counsel, UI Director, UI Tax Director, and Secretary of the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council.
Doug’s decades-long leadership, scholarship, and consensus-building have advanced UI policy and integrity across the country, exemplifying the spirit of the J. Eldred Hill, Jr. Award.

UI Integrity Award 2025

David Gerstenfeld

Director,
Oregon Employment Department

As Director of the Oregon Employment Department (OED), David Gerstenfeld has championed accessibility, data-driven operations, and program integrity. Under his leadership, OED completed the rollout of Frances Online, an integrated platform for contributions & recovery, unemployment insurance, and paid leave—replacing decades-old legacy systems and setting a new standard for secure, user-centered service.

Selected Contributions

  • Led the launch of Frances Online with real-time tracking, strong fraud-prevention, automation, and unified employer reporting for ~170,000 employers.
  • Ensured a mobile-friendly, 24/7 self-service portal exceeding ADA and WCAG standards; integrated chatbot/live chat for streamlined claimant support.
  • In 2024, Frances paid $743.9M in UI benefits to over 120,000 Oregonians; Paid Leave delivered $306M in its first six months, cutting application-to-payment time by 10+ days.
  • Made Oregon the first state to directly connect to NASWA’s ICON Cloud Hub for secure, national data sharing.
  • Passed an IRS Safeguards audit with no critical findings, reflecting robust security and compliance.
  • Cleared significant backlogs (e.g., wage investigations and business status changes) and accelerated new-case handling to about a week.
  • Advanced clear, plain-language communications so employers and claimants better understand rules, responsibilities, and processes.

Mr. Gerstenfeld is recognized with the UI Integrity Award for measurable improvements to security, timeliness, accessibility, and public trust in Oregon’s UI programs.

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