President's Remarks - Spring 2025

Happy Spring IRES Members,

I hope your Spring is off to a good start and you all had a Happy Easter with family and friends.  My Granddaughter is eight months old and is the “star” of the show, as my husband puts it.  We are enjoying every minute we get to spend with her!

Sadly, as most of you have already heard, IRES lost a couple of members in recent months, Mark Hooker and Brad Connor.  Both gentlemen were very active within IRES, as Brad was a founding member, and both Mark and Brad were Past IRES Presidents. Mark and Brad leave our regulatory insurance world with a legacy of hard work, commitment to our field, and lasting friendships.  Please continue to keep Mark and Brad’s families in your thoughts. 

I had the pleasure of attending the IRES Foundation School in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico a couple of weeks ago.  It had been several years since I was able to attend the Foundation School and had a wonderful time.  The sessions and speakers were great, and reuniting with friends was a great experience.  I would encourage you to mark your calendar for the IRES Foundation School for 2026, which will be held April 12-14 at The Ballantyne Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina. 

I had the opportunity to spend time with our Career Development Seminar (“CDS”) Chair, Craig Leonard recently.  I am very excited for 2025 CDS event  “Houston Rodeo of Compliance: Wrangling the Latest in Insurance Regulation” to be held July 27-29 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston, Texas.  Craig, his co-chairs Bob McManus and Tony Taylor, and the entire CDS Committee have put together a fantastic program. You will not want to miss this!  The CDS website is the spot to get all your information about registration, hotel and the agenda.  Please note: this year we have early-bird registration rates that expire on May 31, 2025.  I encourage you to get registered early to take advantage of the lower rate. 

Speaking of CDS, please keep on the lookout for future emails about the CDS program with updates and be sure to watch the recent video from your CDS Chair, Craig Leonard.  There could be a few more videos around the corner!

Our next offering of the Market Conduct Management virtual program is scheduled for June 16-18.  Registration is open and seats do go quickly, so register today if you have not already. 

I do want to provide an update on the Advanced Market Conduct Management (“AMCM”) program.  I am happy to report that the revamp of the AMCM program has been underway, with collaboration from the IRES Foundation.  The plan is to have an early 2026 initial delivery of the program if all remains on track.  I am very excited to have the AMCM program return!

Please visit our website to stay current on all things IRES.  I am excited to see everyone in Houston!

Go KC Royals!

LeAnn

IRES President

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LeAnn M. Crow is a Senior Examiner with RIA Consulting. Prior to working with RIA Consulting, she worked with the Kansas Insurance Department for over 8 years. She is currently the president of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society.