ACORD announced the appointment of Rick Heil, CLU, CHFC as standards director. He will be working directly with ACORD's program directors and managers for all standards areas to enhance and streamline the standards development process. Prior to re-joining ACORD, Heil served as director of standards for the Insured Retirement Institute, where he was responsible for the strategy and development of NAVA's straight-through processing standards initiative message standards. Until 2005, Heil was program director for ACORD's Life, Annuity & Health Standards program.

"We're glad to welcome Rick back to ACORD," says Lloyd Chumbley, vice president, standards, for ACORD. "He's continually been involved with ACORD and standards. His knowledge and experience both inside and outside of ACORD will be a benefit to the entire company. With his unique background, he'll be able to help us further streamline the standards development and working group processes to better serve our members."