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Past Articles - Education Designation
The NAIC Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program
Group Photo of members of the Regulator Professional Designation Program

"Rhode Island is very committed to the NAIC Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program.  Since inception of the program, seven employees have earned the Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (APIR), one employee has received the Professional in Insurance Regulation (PIR), and two have received the Senior Professional in Insurance Regulation (SPIR) designation.  Through my own experience as a designee, I have witnessed the success and growth of the program as it celebrates its' 10 year anniversary.  Rhode Island is proud to support the NAIC Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program.  We encourage our staff to take advantage of the myriad of courses available for personal growth and to develop future leaders within our state insurance department.  From onboarding of new staff to seasoned insurance regulators, the program is an invaluable resource that increases knowledge and skills in this ever changing regulatory landscape."

Superintendent Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Insurance

Photo: 
Front row: Beth Vollucci (APIR), Trish Schoettger, NAIC Director of Member Services, Superintendent Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer (SPIR), Ericka Franzen (APIR), Brett Bache (APIR)
Second row: Matthew Gendron (APIR), Petr Petrik (APIR), Julie Savoie (APIR), Rachel Chester (APIR), Paula Pallozzi (SPIR), Kevin Amaral (APIR) Missing from picture Joseph Rapczak (APIR)

The NAIC Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program
Florida participants in the Regulator Designation Program

"As Florida's Insurance Commissioner, I have seen the merits of the NAIC's Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program through my team of employees and own personal experience as a designee. Since the program's inception, 63 of our employees have been awarded the Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (APIR), 19 have received the Professional in Insurance Regulation (PIR), and two have received the Senior Professional in Insurance Regulation (SPIR). We are also very proud to note that one of our employees, Steve Szypula, was the first regulator in the U.S. to earn the SPIR designation. The program provides insurance regulators at all levels an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the regulatory process. The NAIC has given insurance departments a valuable tool in the continuing education of our employees and we will continue to encourage their participation in this program."

Commissioner David Altmaier, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation

Education Designation Program
Group Photo of New Jersey Education Designation Regulators

First row left to right: Diane Ray, Amir Beshara, Gale Simon (Assistant Commissioner), Richard J. Badolato (Acting Commissioner), Amal Mechaiel

Second row left to right: Marquita Johnson, Brendan Peppard (Assistant Commissioner), Melissa Burro, Peter Hartt (Director of Insurance), Kristine Maurer (Assistant Director), Steven P. Kerner, Jr (Assistant Commissioner).

Third row left to right: Nakia Reid, Olukemi Sotimehin, Eric Campbell

Fourth row left to right: Erik McDermott, Gayatri Hariharan, Matthew Hummel, Michael Gill, Jessica Busse, Thomas Herriger, Donna Laut

"As Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, I am proud to recognize the dedication and significant achievement of many in our Department for their successful completion of the NAIC's Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program. Their hard work demonstrates a sincere desire to become even better professional insurance regulators by growing their base of knowledge and expertise through this NAIC program. Through our Department's experience, we have learned that the Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program can benefit insurance regulators in every stage of their career through its well-designed curriculum and the invaluable opportunities to learn from respected insurance regulatory experts throughout the nation. The program is an amazing resource for all insurance departments, and I encourage other states to take advantage of the benefits it will provide to your regulators and your department as a whole."

Richard J. Badolato, Acting Commissioner New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance