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Fall National MeetingNAIC President Honors Two NAIC Members with 2025 Farmer Award for Exceptional LeadershipDec. 10, 2025
Plain English Summary
At the NAIC's 2025 Fall National Meeting, two insurance leaders were honored with the Raymond G. Farmer Award for Exceptional Leadership. North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread presented the award to Judith L. French, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, and Nathan Houdek, Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner, for their outstanding contributions to the NAIC's Risk-Based Capital Model Governance Task Force. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the insurance industry.
Insurance agents should be aware of the importance of leadership within the NAIC and consider how these developments may influence regulatory practices and standards in their own states. Staying informed about the NAIC's initiatives can help agents better serve their clients and navigate the evolving insurance landscape.
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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2025)
NAIC President Honors Two NAIC Members with 2025 Farmer Award for Exceptional Leadership
On Dec. 9, during the Opening Session of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) 2025 Fall National Meeting, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner and NAIC President Jon Godfread presented the NAIC’s
Raymond G. Farmer Award for Exceptional Leadership
to Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French and Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek.
As part of his remarks, Commissioner Godfread noted the work of Director French and Commissioner Houdek in co-chairing the NAIC’s
Risk-Based Capital Model Governance (EX) Task Force
established earlier this year.
Director French also chairs the NAIC’s Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee, and Commissioner Houdek also chairs the NAIC’s Financial Condition (E) Committee.
The Farmer Award, given at the NAIC president’s discretion, honors an NAIC Member who has shown exemplary leadership and a sustained length of industry service and has contributed to advancing the NAIC’s mission.
Created in 2008, the award was previously known as the NAIC President’s Award for Distinguished NAIC Leadership. The NAIC renamed the award at the 2021 Fall National Meeting in honor of its recipient, then-NAIC Immediate Past President and South Carolina Department of Insurance Director Ray Farmer. Former Director Farmer retired in April 2022 after 53 years in the industry and insurance regulation.
(Top: [L-R] Director French, Former Director Farmer, Commissioner Godfread, and Commissioner Houdek)
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.