Dean Stiller Honored with Prestigious Actuaries’ Award
Sons of Norway Executive Receives 2007 Jacobson-Rugland Award

09/28/07

OAK BROOK, IL – Dean P. Stiller, MAAA, FSA, Appointed and Illustration Actuary for the Sons of Norway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, received the 2007 Jacobson-Rugland Award from the Actuaries Section of the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA).  The award was presented at the Celebration of Fraternalism Luncheon held during the 121st NFCA Annual Meeting, September 6-8, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In his position, Stiller has managed all aspects of product development, product design, pricing, state insurance department filings, marketing and advertising materials, and illustration software.  New products he has developed included term, simplified issue whole life, annuity and special single premium membership product.  He helped oversee the sale of Canadian block of business and also is responsible for financial reporting, cash flow testing and development and implementation of company strategic plan.

Stiller has been a longtime supporter of actuarial Education.  In the 12 years since becoming a FSA, he has written and proctored actuarial exams, has participated in the University of Minnesota Career Day and is a member of the Twin Cities Actuarial Club.  He also has participated in the fraternal aspects of Sons of Norway, serving as a lodge president and international delegate in the convention system.  Prior to his actuarial career, Stiller taught seventh and eighth grade math, algebra, geometry and physics.

“Dean has embraced the fraternal aspects of our organization,” said John Lund, Sons of Norway Chief Executive Officer.  “Not only is he an active member within our lodge system, but he also has taken leadership roles as a lodge president and district and international delegate in our convention system.  In addition, Dean is very involved in many local activities in the Norwegian-American community, including participation in events and the maintenance of a major Norwegian-American sculpture in Minneapolis.”

Established by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1993, and presented annually by the NFCA’s Actuarial Section, the award honors an outstanding fraternal actuary for contributions to the actuarial profession and support of the fraternal benefit system.  The award was named in honor of the late Reuben Jacobson (of the former Lutheran Brotherhood) and Walter Rugland (of the former Aid Association for Lutherans).

To receive the Jacobson-Rugland Award, an actuary must be or have been a member of a professional actuarial association, an employee or consultant to a fraternal benefit society, or a notable contributor to the actuarial and fraternal industries. Award winners are selected by a panel of officers from the NFCA’s Actuarial Section. Actuarial science is the mathematical foundation on which the insurance profession rests.

About Sons of Norway
Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 16, 1895. The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway and to provide quality insurance and financial products to its members.  For more information, visit www.sofn.com.

About the NFCA
The 121-year-old NFCA unites 75 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.  The association represents 10 million fraternalists in 37,000 local chapters, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks.  Fraternal benefit societies provide their members with leadership, social, educational, spiritual, patriotic, scholarship, financial and volunteer-service opportunities.  Combined, the NFCA’s member-societies maintain more than $329 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2006 alone, contributed almost $410 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered nearly 95 million hours for community-service projects.  These statistics demonstrate the commitment that fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase:  Joining Hands to Touch Lives.