Ariz. Gov. Ducey Announces Evan Daniels As Director of Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions

PHOENIX, Arizona, July 11 -- Gov. Doug Ducey, R-Arizona, issued the following news release:

Governor Doug Ducey announced the appointment of Evan Daniels as the new director of the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Daniels currently serves as the Unit Chief Counsel of the Technology, Innovation and Privacy Unit at the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.

"As an expert in state and federal law, Evan has extensive experience in managing and leading staff, as well as in the fields of contract development, consumer protection, data privacy, and more," said Governor Ducey. "Through his time at the Attorney General's Office, Evan has spearheaded the state's innovative regulatory approach to fintech that's brought new companies and jobs to our state. I'm thankful for his willingness to serve Arizonans in this important role, and I look forward to working together to ensure Arizona returns stronger from this pandemic and its economic impact."

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to lead the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions," said Evan Daniels. "It's a critical time for financial services and insurance, especially those servicing health care. I look forward to leading a team focused on protecting Arizonans and their businesses and providing regulatory certainty that promotes strong and competitive insurance and financial services marketplaces."

The national search for a new director began in February after former Director Keith Schraad left his post for an opportunity in the private sector. Christina Corieri, the Governor's senior policy advisor, has served as interim director during the search.

In Daniels' current role as Unit Chief Counsel of the Technology, Innovation and Privacy Unit at the Office of the Arizona Attorney General, he manages the team supporting consumer protection in litigation, investigations, and in providing subject matter expertise, including oversight of Arizona's first-in-the-nation regulatory "sandbox" for fintech following the passage of legislation in 2018. The program has enabled startups and entrepreneurs to launch financial services products on a limited, temporary scale in Arizona without incurring the regulatory costs and burdens that otherwise would be imposed while ensuring customer protection. Arizona's program has been recognized as a national model, which other states have looked to in creating similar programs.

Daniels also has served as Unit Chief Counsel of the Government Accountability Unit, Assistant Attorney General of the Government Accountability and Special Litigation Unit, and Assistant Attorney General of the Consumer Fraud Litigation Unit. Daniels has served at the Attorney General's Office since 2015. Prior to that he worked at the Arizona Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2015.

Daniels earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, magna cum laude, from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law.