New Jersey associate provides expertise for LOMA textbook

November 30, 2011

Ray Vargas, a client services consultant with Employee Benefits Sales in Bridgewater, N.J., has achieved rare status in the field of insurance education: He served as a subject matter expert for LOMA during its update of the textbook, "Insurance Company Operations, Third Edition."

LOMA, established in 1924, provides insurance industry education courses. The revised textbook helps financial services industry employees learn how life insurance companies operate in today's global environment. It is an assigned text for LOMA 290, a required course in the professional designation programs for Associate, Life Management Institute, and Fellow, Life Management Institute.

Vargas, who joined MetLife in 1998, has earned the LOMA designations of Fellow, Life Health Claims; Associate, Customer Service; and Associate, Insurance Regulatory Compliance. "My MetLife experience dovetailed well with my 20 years of service in Patient Administration in the Army Reserve, and vice versa," he says.

According to textbook author Jo Ann Appleton, Vargas' industry knowledge - in particular his expertise gained during many years as a claims examiner - made him a perfect choice to serve on the development panel for the LOMA 290 textbook revision.

"Ray was able to provide the real world context that LOMA textbooks need to be relevant to industry employees," explains Appleton, a content developer at LOMA. "Having experts like Ray review the content contributed greatly to the successful completion of this project."

Vargas devoted his own time to participating in LOMA's textbook development process. "The book was a unique opportunity for me to make a contribution to an industry that has had such a profound impact and helps individuals in their times of need," he says. "I wanted to make a difference."

"It is only through the volunteer efforts of expert reviewers," said Katherine C. Milligan, vice president, education and training for LOMA, "that we are able to continue to provide high-quality educational programs on a timely basis that meet the needs of industry employees."

Information about LOMA and the learning opportunities it offers can be found at www.loma.org