Gary Eastes, Director of Risk Management for the City of Knoxville, will receive the 2012 PRIMA Public Risk Manager of the Year award in ceremonies today in Nashville.

PRIMA, or the Public Risk Management Association, is a national organization that promotes effective risk management in the public administration sector. With headquarters in the Washington, D.C., region, the group claims more than 2,000 governmental entities as members.

The award will be given during PRIMA's annual conference at the Gaylord Opryland.

"It's an amazing honor," Eastes said. "I have traveled all over the U.S. with the conference, so it's fitting that this year - as an award recipient - the conference would be held in Nashville."

Eastes won the award for his efforts to improve the City of Knoxville's medical and health plans and contain their costs, along with improving the collection of medical claims among employees.

PRIMA has several criteria for the award and looks for individuals who have developed and implemented a successful traditional or enterprise risk management program and administered loss prevention and loss control programs to mitigate entity risk exposures. Eastes scored the highest of four nominees.

"We are proud of Gary and appreciate his dedication to the City," Mayor Madeline Rogero said. "He has improved employee benefits while reducing costs to the taxpayers. He certainly deserves this recognition."

Eastes has been with the City for nine years and had previously worked for the City of Oak Ridge and TVA.