Thomas L. Reents Memorial Scholarship deadline extended!

Nominations being accepted through February 28

The Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES) is sponsoring the first Thomas L. Reents Memorial Scholarship for calendar year 2017.

This award honors the first President of IRES. Mr. Reents had a long, and successful career in insurance, primarily in a regulatory capacity.  He was with the Nebraska Department of Insurance from 1974 to 1997, during which time he performed market conduct examinations, investigated consumer complaints, and developed an insurance counseling program for seniors. Prior to joining the department, he worked in the private insurance industry in both personal and commercial lines.  After leaving the Nebraska Department of Insurance, Mr. Reents continued his insurance career as a compliance consultant. Mr. Reents earned his Certified Insurance Examiner (CIE) designation in 1988.  In addition to being the first IRES President, Mr. Reents also served IRES as Treasurer.  He was a board member of not only IRES, but also the IRES Foundation.  In 1993 Mr. Reents received the President’s Award for his outstanding service to IRES and the industry.  Mr. Reents was highly regarded by his colleagues, and his knowledge, warmth and wit will be missed.

The scholarship will be awarded to a State Regulator who has demonstrated exceptional promise, professionalism and a commitment to continual improvement.  Recipients will be reimbursed up to $1,000.00 in travel related expenses, as well as waived registration fees, at one of the following programs:

• IRES Foundation National School on Market Regulation: March 12-14, 2017, in St. Petersburg, FL
• IRES Career Development Seminar: August 13-16, in Providence, RI
• MCM (Market Conduct Management) Designation Program

The awardees must be current state insurance department employees with less than 5 years of service as of January 1, 2017. They must demonstrate exceptional promise and professionalism in representing their states as regulators and seek to develop skills through completion of training programs provided by recognized insurance industry institutional programs including, but not limited to, those provided by The Institutes (formerly AICPCU), The American College, LOMA, and the NAIC. The awardee must be a current General member of IRES.

Nominees should complete the scholarship form located at www.go-ires.org/scholarships/thomas-reents/application with a letter of recommendation from their Commissioner, Director, or Superintendent no later than February 28, 2017.

We understand the ability to accept the scholarship may vary by state due to ethics considerations; as such, participation by states is voluntary. Should you have any questions please contact IRES Membership and Benefits Chair, Martha B. Long at 573-751-2303 or Martha.Long@insurance.mo.gov or Recognition and Awards Chair, Katie Dzurec-Dunton at 207-624-2666 or Katie.DzurecDunton@cms.hhs.gov.

Know a superstar who may not qualify for this award?
Know a superstar who may not qualify for this award, but deserves recognition?  IRES offers two other awards to recognize outstanding performance by seasoned IRES members–the Al Greer Award and The Chartrand Communications Award