2025 Award Announcements

Al Gross/Jim Long Rookie of the Year Scholarship

2025 Recipients

• Daniel Plunkett – Illinois Department of Insurance

• Matthew Eyth --  Illinois Department of Insurance

• Reagan Allen – Delaware Department of Insurance

• Stephanie Clayton – Idaho Department of Insurance

Background on the Award:

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.

Daniel Plunkett

Daniel Plunkett started working for the Illinois Department of Insurance within the Market Conduct Division in November of 2023.  He worked for the first 6 months training with both the Life and Health Division as well as the Property Casualty Division.  He eventually was assigned to the Life and Health Division in May of 2024.  Since then, he has worked on three (3) different market conduct exams, and has received his PIR and MCM designations.  He is also in the process of trying to get BHPA designation that IRES has started offering.  He looks forward to continuing to gain more knowledge and sharpen his skills within the regulator landscape.

Matthew Eyth 

Matthew Eyth is a valued and trusted employee of the Illinois Department of Insurance’s Market Conduct Unit focusing on Life and Health exams. He began as a Market Conduct Examiner Trainee in November 2023, and has advanced to the Market Conduct Examiner 1 position. He has successfully completed the NAIC courses for the Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (“APIR”) and the Professional Insurance Regulator (“PIR”) designation programs. In addition, he has successfully achieved the Market Conduct Management (“MCM”) designation from IRES.

Reagan Allen

Reagan Allen is a Financial Analyst with the Delaware Department of Insurance.  She has been with the Department since September 9, 2024.  She immediately began taking training classes to familiarize herself with the insurance industry and review of financial statements by participating in the NAIC Insurance Summit, PA Insurance Department Training, SOFE Mini CDS, including webinars on Financial Analysis Solvency Tools, Accreditation, Bond Project training, etc.  She began studying for the Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation in October of 2024, and received her designation in February of 2025.  She has participated in several company meetings as well as the accreditation renewal for Delaware.  She has been assigned twelve (12) companies to analyze on a quarterly and annual basis.  She has also completed reviews of miscellaneous projects including service agreements, dividend requests, reinsurance agreements, reciprocal and certified reinsurer applications, and Form A Exemption requests.  Reagan’s willingness to take on many different projects and excelling at each new challenge is the reason for her nomination for the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society Foundation’s 13th Annual Al Gross/Jim Long Rookie of the Year Scholarship.

Stephanie Clayton

Stephanie Clayton is the Market Conduct Examiner for the Idaho Department of Insurance, Boise Office, and will be with the Department for two (2) years in August. She have earned her APIR, PIR, MCM and is currently working towards a CPCU. Her primary focus is annual market analysis and general market conduct of companies operating in Idaho. Her background is in the private market due to her prior experience working for Allstate as an Agent and Operations Manager for thirteen (13) years.

Thomas L. Reents Memorial Scholarship

2025 Recipient

• Angela Naber – Nebraska Department of Insurance

Background on the Award:

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.

Angela Naber

Angela Naber, is a Bellevue University Graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice.  She started her career in the insurance industry as a producer in 2022 before joining the Nebraska Department of Insurance as a Market Conduct Examiner.  During her time at the Department, she assisted with Market Conduct Examinations & Mental Health Parity Reviews (“MHPAEA”).  She earned her MCM, PIR, AIE, and FLMI designations while in the role.  She is actively working towards her CIE and CPCU designations.  She serves on the CDS and MCM/AMCM/BHPA IRES Committees and is Nebraska’s State Chair representative for IRES.  She is motivated in earning future designations and becoming more involved in the industry in hopes of learning new skills to provide high quality work that has a positive impact within the insurance industry.