We will see several new commissioners across the country in 2019. Here is a high-level summary of the commissioner changes, followed by a listing of the NAIC committee leadership for 2019.
New Commissioners:
Arizona: Arizona’s Keith Schraad appears to have received a full-blown appointment as Director of Insurance (he had been interim director). Schraad has over 25 years of both private‐ and public‐sector experience in the areas of insurance, healthcare, technology and government.
California: Commissioner Ricardo Lara won a close race against a well-funded former commissioner. Commissioner Lara has noted that his priority is “protecting consumers, patients, hard-working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable communities in [California].”
Colorado: Michael Conway, who had been serving as Interim Commissioner, has been appointed Commissioner of Colorado. Conway has extensive regulator experience; he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Insurance for Consumer and Compliance Services prior to taking the Commissioner role.
Georgia: Former Department Chief of Staff Jim Beck narrowly defeated insurance industry veteran Janice Laws. Beck has already prioritized fighting insurance fraud against seniors and bringing stability to auto insurance rates during his time as Commissioner.
Kansas: State Senator Vicki Schmidt was elected Insurance Commissioner. As a State Senator, Schmidt served as Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. With substantial experience as a pharmacist, coupled with her legislative leadership background, Commissioner-elect Schmidt will bring a unique perspective and expertise to the NAIC.
Michigan: Anita Fox, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, has been appointed Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Minnesota: Governor Walz has nominated former state Senator Steve Kelley as Commissioner of the Department of Commerce. Kelley was most recently a Senior Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.
New York: Governor Andrew Cuomo has formally nominated Linda Lacewell to be the new Superintendent of the New York DFS. Lacewell, a former prosecutor, currently serves as Cuomo’s Chief of Staff and has been with his office in various capacities since 2007.
Oklahoma: Glen Mulready was elected as Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department. Mulready has chaired Oklahoma’s House Insurance Committee and was active at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators. He also has industry experience as a producer, so he hits the ground running. Mulready has announced Tyler Laughlin, a senior staffer with former Commissioner Doak, as his Chief of Staff, helping to ensure continuity in the transition.
Wisconsin: Mark Afable, an American Family executive, has been appointed Insurance Commissioner. Afable has voiced a desire to tackle the availability and affordability of health insurance once his term begins.
In Connecticut and Illinois, commissioner seats remain open under new administrations as of mid-January. The Nevada governor-elect’s transition has not made any announcements regarding future leadership of its department.
The NAIC has announced committee leadership for 2019:
Life Insurance and
Annuities (A) Committee
Chair: Doug Ommen, Commissioner, Iowa
Insurance Division
Vice Chair: Stephen C. Taylor,
Commissioner, District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and
Banking
Health Insurance and
Managed Care (B) Committee
Chair: Jessica Altman, Commissioner,
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Vice Chair: Lori K. Wing-Heier, Director,
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of
Insurance
Property and Casualty
Insurance (C) Committee
Chair: Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer,
Superintendent, State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation,
Division of Insurance
Vice Chair: Scott A. White, Commissioner,
Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance
Market Regulation and
Consumer Affairs (D) Committee
Chair: Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director,
Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional
Registration
Vice Chair: Allen W. Kerr, Commissioner,
Arkansas Insurance Department
Financial Condition (E)
Committee
Chair: David Altmaier, Commissioner,
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Vice Chair: Tom Glause, Commissioner,
Wyoming Insurance Department
Financial Regulation
Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee
Chair: Todd E. Kiser, Commissioner,
Utah Insurance Department
Vice Chair: Jillian Froment, Director, Ohio
Department of Insurance
International Insurance Relations (G) Committee
Chair: Julie Mix McPeak, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Vice Chair: Gary Anderson, Commissioner, Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Division of Insurance