Head & Shoulders Above The Competition
Each year IRES awards scholarships to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional promise, professionalism, and a commitment to continual improvement in the insurance field.
Al Gross/Jim Long Rookie of the Year Scholarship
The Al Gross/Jim Long Rookie of the Year Scholarship is named after two long-serving insurance commissioners who passed away shortly after retiring from their positions: North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long and Virginia Commissioner of Insurance Al Gross. Both commissioners were dedicated to serving their constituents and were known for being dedicated, leaders, innovators, and mentors. Neither were afraid to get involved in difficult issues and find solutions that look outside the box. Both men were recognized and touted as exceptional leaders by their peers and those who worked for them.
The scholarship is awarded annually to up to four (4) state regulators (one in each zone) who have demonstrated exceptional promise, professionalism, and a commitment to continual improvement. In awarding scholarships, IRES will consider the four zones utilized by the NAIC, ideally awarding one scholarship per zone. Should a zone or zones have no eligible or qualified applications, multiple scholarships may be awarded in a zone or zones with multiple eligible or qualified applications. Recipients receive waived registration fees and are reimbursed up to $1,500 in travel-related expenses for one of the following programs (held during the award year):
- Career Development Seminar and Regulatory Skills Workshop
- Market Conduct Management (MCM®) Designation Program
- IRES Foundation’s National School on Market Regulation
The ability to accept the scholarship may vary by state due to ethics consideration. As such, participation by states is voluntary.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be current state insurance department employees with less than two (2) years of service in her/his current position as of January 1st of the award year.
- Demonstrate exceptional promise and professionalism in representing their states as regulators.
- 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, The American College, LOMA, and the NAIC.
IRES membership is not required. (Please note: Membership in IRES is not included and scholarship funds cannot be used to pay IRES membership dues.)
Application
IRES is accepting scholarship applications for the 2024 year.
To apply, complete the online application. You will be required to upload a letter of recommendation from your commissioner, director, or superintendent (addressed to the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society, 10340 Democracy Lane // Suite 300 // Fairfax, VA 22030.
Past Recipients
2023
- Danna Chen, Maryland (Northeast Zone)
- Andrew Cope, Missouri (Midwestern zone)
- Ramon Jackson, California (Western Zone)
- Angela Naber, Nebraska (Midwest Zone)
2022
- Austin Acheson, Virginia (Southeastern Zone)
- Maggie Dell, South Dakota (Midwestern zone)
- Brenda Evans, Arizona (Western Zone)
- Michael Lavan, California (Western Zone)
2021
- Sarah Cahn, New Hampshire (Northeastern Zone)
- Brenda Johnson, Kansas (Midwestern zone)
2020
- Matthew Newell, Oregon (Western Zone)
- Shannon McNally, Wisconsin (Midwestern Zone)
- Nicole McClain, Pennsylvania (Northeastern Zone)
2019
- Lisa Beck, Oregon (Western Zone)
- Kendra Fox, Missouri (Midwestern Zone)
- Shelli Isiminger, Tennessee (Southeastern Zone)
- Penny Schuster, Maryland (Northeastern Zone)
2018
- Monica Hale, Wisconsin (Midwestern Zone)
- Sarah Neil, Rhode Island (Northeastern Zone)
- Jessica Bullington, Washington (Western Zone)
2017
- Letha Tate, West Virginia (Southeastern Zone)
- Lori Carlson, Wisconsin (Midwestern Zone)
- Maureen Belanger, New Hampshire (Northeastern Zone)
- Shuqian Guan, California (Western Zone)
2016
- Courtney Bellmer, California (Western Zone)
- Tyler Robison, Maryland (Northeast Zone)
- Andrew Stoughton, Wisconsin (Midwestern Zone)
- Adam Boggess, Colorado (At Large)
2015
- Jack Engle, Illinois (Midwestern Zone)
- Tara Smith, Colorado, (Western Zone)
2014
- Adrienne Bliss Monroe, Nevada (Western Zone)
- Rachel Chester, Rhode Island (Northeastern Zone)
- Ching Ting Huey, New York (At Large)
- Jody Ullman, Wisconsin (Midwestern Zone)
2013
- LeAnn Crow, Kansas (Midwestern Zone)
- Desiree Mauller, West Virginia (Southwestern Zone)
- Ashok Viswanathan, California (Western Zone)
- Adam Zimmerman, Maryland (Northeastern Zone)
2012
- Ida Cullufi, Georgia (At Large)
- Arthur Dodd, Virginia (Southeastern Zone)
- Shelly Herzing, Missouri (Midwestern Zone)
- John Huh, California (Western Zone)
Thomas L. Reents Memorial Scholarship
The Thomas L. Reents Memorial Scholarship honors the first President of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES). This award was established in 2016 by IRES and the IRES Foundation. The inaugural scholarship was presented in 2017.
Mr. Reents had a long, successful and well-respected 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.
This scholarship recognizes Mr. Reents’ many contributions to IRES and the IRES Foundation, and the level of respect in which he was held.
The scholarship is awarded annually to one (1) state regulator who has demonstrated exceptional promise, professionalism and a commitment to continual improvement. Applications are accepted through January 31, 2024; the scholarship must be used during the calendar year in which they are awarded. IRES is allowing for flexibility for the award winner. If an event is moved virtually, IRES will allow the winner to utilize their scholarship for these virtual events or hold until in-person events resume. IRES will work with the award recipient to utilize the educational scholarship in accordance with state, local, and federal restrictions.
Scholarship recipients receive waived registration fees and are reimbursed up to $1,500 in travel-related expenses for one of the following programs (held during the award year):
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a current state insurance department employee with less than five (5) years of service in her/his current position as of January 1st of the award year.
- Demonstrate exceptional promise and professionalism in representing their state as a regulator.
- 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, The American College, LOMA, and the NAIC.
- Be a current General member of IRES. (Please note: Scholarship funds cannot be used to pay IRES membership dues.)
Application
IRES is accepting scholarship applications for the 2024 year.
To apply, complete the online application. You will be required to upload a letter of recommendation from your commissioner, director, or superintendent (addressed to the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society, 10340 Democracy Lane // Suite 300 // Fairfax, Virginia 22030).
Past Recipients
- Eva Priebe, 2023
- Monica Hale, 2022
- Sarah Borunda, 2021
- Shuqian Guan, 2020
- Christopher Heisler, 2019
- Desiree Mauller, 2018
- John Huh, 2017
More Information
For more information on these scholarship opportunities, please contact IRES.
