Jefferson City, Mo - The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) presented Fred Heese, director of the Missouri Division of Insurance Company Regulation and the state's chief financial examiner, with the Robert Dineen Award. Heese is the first Missouri insurance regulator to win the award. He received the award Dec. 15 at the NAIC Fall National Meeting in Washington, D.C.  

"The expertise that Fred brings to the department is unprecedented," said John M. Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance. "It has been a privilege to have him on our team and the technical knowledge he brings to the table is invaluable."

Heese, who is one of the longest-serving team members with 29 years, has been the chief financial examiner and division director since 2007. His level of experience has been essential to the enhancement of solvency regulation.  He also has provided critical insight into the state's work on modernization of insurance solvency regulation. He helped develop and implement ORSA requirements and holding company model law revisions.

Heese also provides essential support to Director Huff in his work on the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council.

The award was established in 1989 and is named in honor of NAIC's Support and Services Office founder Robert Dineen. It is presented annually to an individual in recognition of his or her exceptional success as a career regulator.

Kathy Belfi of the Connecticut Insurance Department also received the award from the NAIC on Sunday.