Deputy Commissioner of Finance Earns PIR

The Management and Leadership Effectiveness Class was held in Kansas City at the NAIC Central Office in November. SPIR candidates attended this three day course to earn credit towards their designation.

Back row - Peter Rao, Elizabeth Dwyer, Paula Pallozzi, former Wyoming Commissioner Tom Hirsig, Mark Hooker
Front row - Pauline Lynch, Jeannie Keller, Tom Whitener, Kathleen Nakasone, Norman "Chip" Wagoner

Deputy Commissioner of Finance Earns PIR

"I appreciate the encouragement offered by Commissioner Doak. I found the courses to be very rewarding and I believe that regulators will benefit from taking the courses."
Joel Sander, PIR

Oklahoma Commissioner John D. Doak congratulates Joel Sander Deputy Commissioner of Finance on earning the Professional in Insurance Regulation (PIR) designation.

New Mexico Superintendent Awards APIR Designation

David Ault, a budget analyst in the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s Insurance Division, was recently awarded his Associate Professional of Insurance Regulation certificate by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  Ault said completing the NAIC’s APIR program was an important step in developing his career in the insurance business. New Mexico State Superintendent of Insurance John Franchini said he is encouraging all Insurance Division employees to gain their certifications.”

From right: New Mexico Superintendent John Franchini, David Ault, APIR Designee and Mark Jordan, Exams Bureau Chief .

Arkansas Regulator Awarded
PIR Designation

“The NAIC Designation Program was very interactive with video lectures, discussions, team projects and gave you an opportunity to communicate with industry and other state regulators. I found the program to be challenging and would highly recommend the Program to any state regulator who is interested in professional growth and development.  There is a wide selection of courses to choose from and it allows you to focus on specific areas of knowledge. So, whether you are new to insurance regulation, or a seasoned regulator, the Program is well worth the time you spend in furthering your knowledge of insurance regulation and keeping up on current issues. “      
  -Kim Johnson, PIR

From left: Arkansas Commissioner Jay Bradford, Kim Johnson, PIR Designee and Mel Anderson, Deputy Commissioner of Financial Regulations.

Indiana Regulators Earn APIR

“The NAIC Designation Program is a good tool to help employees better understand what their fellow colleagues who work in other divisions do on a day-to-day basis, and I think it will enhance the synergy between our different divisions”
-Stephen W. Robertson, Indiana Commissioner of Insurance

Front Row left to right: Logan Harrison, Holly Williams, Meggan Brumbaugh and Debra Webb Back Row left to right: Dawn Bopp, Robert Hummel, Bryan Shade, Tina Korty and Nick Mann

Three Regulators Earn Top NAIC Designation

Three regulators were recognized at the Commissioners Roundtable during the Fall National Meeting in Washington D.C. for achieving the NAIC’s top educational designation, the Senior Professional in Insurance Regulation (SPIR). NAIC President and Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan E. Voss and NAIC Designation Advisory Board Chair and Montana Insurance Commissioner Monica J. Lindeen presented SPIR designations to Jim Hattaway, Insurance Examination Supervisor, Alabama Insurance Department and Peg Brown, Deputy Commissioner Consumer Affairs, Colorado Division of Insurance. Sara Gosnell, Chief Regulatory Specialist with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, was also recognized for earning the SPIR, though she was not in attendance.

From left: North Carolina Commissioner Wayne Goodwin recognizes Sara Gosnell for earning the SPIR Designation.

New York In the News

Richard Ramos became the first New York regulator to earn the APIR Designation. In April the New York Department enrolled 27 trainees and they have already completed their first APIR course. Richard said "The APIR has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to learn from and interact with regulators across the country (and our U.S. territories). I think the NAIC will be of growing importance to all of us in the future and we should not miss the opportunity to learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience it offers to us". Congratulations Richard!

Above: Richard Ramos with New York Superintendent James Wrynn

Recognizing Pennsylvania Designees

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has been very active in encouraging staff to earn the APIR and PIR NAIC Designations. Deputy Director Steve Johnson said “Commissioner Consedine and I are extremely proud of our staff for earning the NAIC Professional in Insurance Regulation designations. Their successful participation in the NAIC Insurance Regulator Professional Designation Program shows their commitment to the highest quality in state insurance financial regulation. The program is a testament to the NAIC’s dedication to promoting the knowledge and professionalism of state insurance regulators. Congratulations to our staff and the NAIC for doing this important work!”

Back Row (from left):  Mike Coulson, Steve Allen, Jonathan Pickett, Phyllis Little, Nick Murray, Dave Phelps 
Middle Row (from left):  Kaushik Patel, Lori Bercher, Chris Keller, Neel Vaidya, Cris Bybee, Bob Brackbill, Steve Yerger
Seated (from left):  Deputy Insurance Commissioner Steve Johnson, Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine, Robert Kotal, Mike Kelly
Not pictured: Eric Baker, Sharon Nyman

Louisiana Regulator receives PIR Designation

Commissioner James Donelon is seen here presenting the PIR Designation to Arlene Knighten at the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Arlene is an Attorney Supervisor with the Department. Commissioner Donelon said “I am very proud of Arlene and her accomplishment as the first Louisiana Department of Insurance employee to receive the PIR Designation which is a testament to her expertise in insurance regulation. I join many others at the Department in extending my appreciation for the high level of professionalism that she brings to the job. Congratulations to her for this achievement.”

Louisiana Commissioner James Donelon with Arlene Knighten, Attorney Supervisor with the Louisiana Department of Insurance

Montana Regulator receives PIR Designation

Michelle Scaccia was presented the PIR Designation by Commissioner Monica Lindeen. "The knowledge that I have gained from the various education courses required for this designation have vastly improved my understanding of the insurance industry. Where the APIR program was a great introduction to the insurance industry and its regulation, the PIR program expanded and refined those basic concepts with more in-depth material that has helped me be more proficient in my daily job duties. I highly recommend this designation program to all regulators who want to have a better overall understanding of the complexities of insurance regulation." Michelle Scaccia (MT)

Montana Commissioner Monica Lindeen with Michelle Scaccia

First Nevada APIR Awarded

“The training was really valuable and will assist me in my job as an analyst. The courses gave me the tools I need to be a better analyst, while reinforcing some concepts that I already knew.”
Ken Stern, APIR

Ken Stern with Former Commissioner Scott Kipper, Nevada Division of Insurance

Florida Regulators Represent APIR, PIR, and SPIR Designation Levels

In January of this year, Florida became the first state to have designees at all three levels of the NAIC Designation Program. Vegic Sheppard earned the Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (APIR) and Valerie Reglat earned the Professional in Insurance Regulation (PIR). Both have been employed with the Florida Department for eight years. Stephen Szypula is the only candidate who has earned the highest designation, the Senior Professional in Insurance Regulation (SPIR). Mr. Szypula has been with the state since 1989.

The Designees made the following comments about the program:

"This program was challenging and very rewarding. It introduced me to areas of regulation that I had no experience in. I really enjoyed the courses." Vegic Sheppard, APIR

"The process of working towards the designation was just as rewarding as receiving the designation itself.  The insight and knowledge I received from interacting with other regulators and the NAIC staff is invaluable." Valerie Reglat, PIR

"The designation program is an opportunity to expand your knowledge while attaining a professional designation that demonstrates to others your understanding of a variety of insurance issues routinely dealt with by regulators." Stephen Szypula, SPIR