Department of Insurance Office of Consumer Advocacy Team Receives APIR Designation

Picture of the Consumer Advocacy Staff: http://www.ldi.state.la.us/ConsumerAdvocacy/ConsumerAdvocacyStaffPic.jpg

Released: June 30, 2009

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has announced that Deputy Commissioner Clarissa A. Preston, John A. Lamke and Sherice D. Forte’ have completed the requirements for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (APIR) designation.

The APIR program provides insurance regulators with an NAIC-sponsored professional designation recognizing their expertise in insurance regulation. The designation program communicates to Congress and others that insurance regulators have achieved a high standard of insurance knowledge and are utilizing best practices in a variety of areas including consumer protection.

“Achieving the APIR designation means that Clarissa, John and Sherice have completed the qualifying education courses designed to improve the high quality of service they provide to the Department’s Office of Consumer Advocacy,” Commissioner Donelon said.

Clarissa A. Preston has served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Consumer Advocacy since the position was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 2007. She began her career at the Department of Insurance in 1997 and was named Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Property and Casualty in 2005 before heading Consumer Advocacy. Preston is a certified insurance counselor and past recipient of the Society’s certificate of achievement for her commitment to advanced knowledge and customer service in the insurance profession. She is a New Orleans native and 1994 graduate of Louisiana State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Preston holds a property & casualty and a life, health & accident insurance license (licenses temporarily inactive due to her employment with the Department of Insurance).

John A. Lamke began his career with the Department of Insurance in 2001 and has been an Insurance Compliance Examiner Specialist II in the Office of Consumer Advocacy since February 2008. He was recently elected state co-chairman of the Louisiana Chapter of Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society. Lamke is also a retired insurance agent and currently serves as president of the Acadiana Development Foundation. He is a native of St. Landry Parish.

Sherice D. Forte’ has been an Insurance Compliance Examiner Specialist II in the Office of Consumer Advocacy since February 2008. Forte’ previously oversaw the Customer Service Department of a private insurer, where she was named Top Life Producer and Top Sales Producer in 2006. Forte’ is a native of St. Maurice and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 2000 and a Masters degree of Education in 2002, both from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She holds a property & casualty and a life, health & accident insurance license (licenses temporarily inactive due to her employment with the Department of Insurance).

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