The end of Sandy Praeger’s term as president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners means another Lawrence resident served at the helm of a national organization.

Praeger, the Kansas insurance commissioner and a former Lawrence mayor, led the nation’s oldest association of state officials for one year. Her term ended in December.

Two past Kansas insurance commissioners, Fletcher Bell and Frank Sullivan, both from Lawrence, have also served as NAIC presidents.

But Lawrence residents have secured national leadership posts in a variety of professional organizations.

Dr. Donald Hatton, an internist with Reed Medical Group, is the 2009 chairman of the Board of Governors for the American College of Physicians.

Also recently, Dale Willey, president of Dale Willey Automotive in Lawrence, served as the 2007 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Smitty Belcher, chief executive officer of P1 Group, was the 2001 president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

“Perhaps it’s just that the Lawrence community sets an example for involvement and being involved,” Praeger said.