Branstad Names Doug Ommen Iowa Insurance Commissioner

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 30 -- Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, issued the following news release:

Today, Gov. Branstad announced that he is appointing Doug Ommen of Ankeny as Iowa Insurance Commissioner. Ommen had been serving as Interim Insurance Commissioner since Dec. 26, 2016.

Branstad continued, "I'm pleased that Doug Ommen has accepted this responsibility as Iowa Insurance Commissioner. Doug is a seasoned attorney and insurance regulator who has over 30 years of experience in public service and I'm confident in his ability to lead the Iowa Insurance Division."

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds lauded the pick saying, "Doug is well-positioned to take on this important role to supervise all insurance business in Iowa. He had served - until today - as Interim Insurance Commissioner, and Deputy Insurance Commissioner since 2013 under Nick Gerhart. Doug has the expertise and the background in both Iowa and Missouri that will serve him and Iowans well as Commissioner."

Ommen added, "I thank Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds for the great opportunity to lead the hard-working staff at the Iowa Insurance Division. I've spent my career in public service ensuring that consumers are protected and I'm very happy to continue that work for Iowans."

Prior to serving as Interim Insurance Commissioner, Ommen had also served as Deputy Insurance Commissioner in Iowa since 2013. Prior to his service in Iowa, Ommen served as Missouri's Insurance Commissioner under Governor Matt Blunt and provided leadership in consumer protection in the administrations of Attorneys General Bill Webster, Jay Nixon and Chris Koster in Missouri since 1985.

Ommen attended Rockhurst College in Kansas City where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 and obtained his Juris Doctor from the St. Louis University School of Law in 1985. He is married and has two adult children who are also married.

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