2024 President-Elect and Vice Chair Candidate
David Dillon, FSA 2004, FCA 2023, MAAA 2002
SVP & Principal, Lewis & Ellis, LLC, Dallas, TX
Instructor, School of Risk Science – Actuarial Science, Georgia State University
Brief Description of Current Work
For nearly 25 years (wow, time flies when you're having fun with numbers!), I've been riding the wild waves of healthcare and health insurance at Lewis & Ellis. I've worn more hats than I can count – from being the go-to guru for insurance companies on product development and valuation, to playing fortune-teller for state insurance departments with rate reviews and financial analyses. And let's not forget the rollercoaster that was the 2010 Affordable Care Act – I've been right there in the trenches, helping 23 states navigate the twists and turns.
But wait, there's more! My volunteering adventures have been nothing short of amazing. In 2022, I was over the moon to receive the Society of Actuaries' Presidential Award. (I'll spill more details about my volunteering escapades later, so stay tuned!) Working shoulder to shoulder with SOA volunteers and staff has been an absolute blast. The friendships, the shared passion, the late-night brainstorming sessions – it's been one heck of a ride!
And just when I thought life couldn't get any more exciting, in 2022, I took on a new challenge – teaching a Health Insurance class at Georgia State University's Actuarial Science program. Talk about a dream come true! Helping to shape the minds of future actuarial superstars while fine-tuning my own skills? Sign me up!
Primary Area(s) of Practice
Health Specializations: Financial Reporting, Health Insurance-Commercial; Health Insurance–Public Systems; Product Pricing/Development; Regulatory; Valuation/Reserving.
Bio
As a consulting actuary, I've channeled my passion for numbers and problem-solving into a career centered around supporting insurance companies, state insurance departments, and others navigating the health insurance maze. From the Affordable Care Act to Voluntary Benefits and financial solvency, I've dived into the deep end of healthcare and health insurance. Over the years, I've cracked the complex actuarial code, guiding clients through an ever-evolving industry landscape filled with challenges.
However, my actuarial journey is not just about my role as a consultant. I've been a devoted 'scholar on a mission' to establish my presence as a distinguished thought leader within the industry. Since 2017, I have made over 50 appearances in national media outlets, providing expert commentary on issues related to national healthcare reform. You can frequently catch me sharing insights at speaking gigs or penning thoughts for publications, contributing to the buzzing dialogue on actuarial science and healthcare policy.
It all started with a love for numbers, earning me a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University, which then led me to a Master's degree in Statistics and Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa. The journey has been thrilling, and there's still plenty more to come!
I began volunteering with the SOA in 2008, aiming to promote and advance the profession in every way I could. Here’s a summary of my volunteer work and awards:
- SOA Presidential Award (2022)
- SOA Volunteer of the Year Award (2017)
- Serving as an SOA Board of Director (2018-2021)
- Serving on the SOA Professional Development Curriculum and Content Creation Council (2024-Current)
- Serving on the SOA Health Section Council (2015-2016) and Research Committee (2014-2018)
- Co-chairing the SOA HSC Educational Podcast Series (since 2015)
- Chairing the Commercial Healthcare Strategic Initiative (2017-2018)
- Coordinating 50+ sessions at SOA events, with four receiving Outstanding Session Awards
- Acting as an SOA media liaison on health insurance issues (since 2017)
- Participating in 3 SOA Health Research Project Oversight Groups
- Serving on the American Academy of Actuaries' Health Financial Reporting Committee (since 2017), Individual and Small Group Markets Committee (since 2019), and as an instructor for the Life and Health Qualification Seminar (since 2021)
- Joining the National Math Foundation Board in 2019
Additional Info
As we look ahead, my unwavering commitment to raising the bar for the actuarial profession stands as a testament to my dedication to serving the SOA Board and our global community of members. I'm determined to keep pushing the envelope, making a difference in every way possible.
Mark your calendars – the voting opens on August 19 and continues until September 6. (Keep an eye out for those results around September 16.) I would be honored to have your vote. Equally important though, I encourage you to weigh all the candidates and make your voice heard. Your opinion is a valuable contribution to the conversation, and it matters to me and our entire organization.
Thank you for taking a moment to get to know me and my candidacy a bit better. If you'd like more information or simply want to share your thoughts: I'm all ears. Feel free to drop me an email at dave.dillon@lewisellis.com or ping me a message on LinkedIn.