Ex Iowa insurance commissioner lands at FBL Financial

After giving up his post as Iowa insurance commissioner in December, Nick Gerhart has been named chief administrative officer of FBL Financial Group, parent company of Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.

Gerhart will be responsible for enterprise strategic planning, government relations, human resources and health services at FBL.

When he stepped down as Iowa’s insurance commissioner last month, Gerhart cited the impending birth of his fourth child and said he had not committed to any future job. Doug Ommen, deputy commissioner, has been serving as interim commissioner since Gerhart’s departure.

As insurance commissioner in Iowa from February 2013 to December 2016, Gerhart gained notoriety in the industry for targeting misleading annuity advertising. He also oversaw the state’s efforts to adapt to the Affordable Care Act.

Before serving as Iowa’s insurance commissioner, Gerhart worked in compliance roles at Sammons Financial Group and American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. He earned his law degree and health law certificate from St. Louis University School of Law and a master’s degree in health administration from St. Louis University School of Public Health.