Robert Howard, was named president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries for 2009-2010 at its annual meeting (CIA) held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 25-26.

Howard, currently assistant vice president, financial management actuarial with Sun Life Financial in Waterloo, Ont., has more than 38 years in the industry and has been an active volunteer for the CIA.

“Bob is well-known and well-respected for his passion and knowledge within the actuarial community,” said Dean Connor, president of Sun Life Financial Canada. “This is an important role within the industry and we are pleased to have talented employees, like Bob, taking an active role in industry organizations.”

“As an organization committed to serving the public through the provision of actuarial services and advice of the highest quality, we look forward to Bob serving as our president,” said Daniel Lapointe, executive director of the CIA. “Bob brings a great depth of knowledge to this position, and is well situated to successfully meet the challenges the actuarial profession in Canada currently faces.”

The CIA is the national organization of the actuarial profession in Canada. In addition to its role of serving the public, the institute advocates on behalf of the profession, promotes the advancement of actuarial science through research, and sponsors educational programs. The institute holds the duty of the profession to the public above the needs of the profession and its members.