Missouri Insurance Director John Huff will serve as the NAIC's president-elect in 2015, after winning a Feb. 8 special election.

Huff beat out Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark for the position, which was vacated when Pennsylvania's newly elected governor removed state Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine from office. He will serve out the remainder of the year as president-elect, and be in line to take over as NAIC president come 2016.

Huff, who was nominated for the position by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, emphasized his wide-ranging regulatory experience and the need for continuity among the NAIC's officer corps during a short speech ahead of the vote. Huff has never served as an NAIC officer, but won praise for the four years he spent as NAIC representative to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

Huff has also chaired various committees within the organization since becoming Missouri insurance director in 2009, including a closely watched panel charged with reviewing the NAIC's governance standards.

He alluded during the speech to the significant challenges that the NAIC expects to face this year, particularly in negotiating with federal and international policymakers over global capital standards and other issues.

"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth," Huff said, paraphrasing a quote from boxer Mike Tyson. "We must put our best team forward before we get punched in the mouth."

The abrupt loss of Consedine was disruptive to the NAIC, he added, showing that the organization needs a more consistent leadership team. Huff is an appointed official of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, whose term does not end until early 2017. Clark is also appointed, but Kentucky Gov. Steve Breshear is not eligible for reelection this year due to term limits.

Clark countered those concerns by pointing out that, while Democrat Breshear selected her as insurance commissioner, it was Kentucky's Republican state legislature that unanimously confirmed her for the position. Nominated for NAIC president-elect by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, she touted her ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and her experience managing the NAIC as an officer. Clark is currently the organization's vice president, and last year served as secretary-treasurer. She will now remain in that vice president role through 2015.

Huff's victory also prevented North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin from making a leap onto the executive committee. Goodwin planned to run for the open position created by Clark if she won president-elect.