Kim Cross Appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner for Supervision
January 8, 2020 by Iowa Insurance Division
Des Moines, Iowa – Kim Cross has been promoted to Acting Deputy Commissioner for Supervision as Jim Armstrong, longtime Deputy Commissioner for Supervision, has retired after more than 35 years serving at the Iowa Insurance Division.
“I’m honored to continue to serve Iowans in this new capacity,” Cross said. “As anyone in the insurance industry knows, Jim Armstrong leaves huge shoes to fill, but his legacy will live on in the talented and professional staff that he curated. I’m looking forward to continuing Iowa’s exemplary leadership at the NAIC, internationally and right here at home in Iowa.”
“I have had the pleasure of working with Kim for more than two decades now and I am glad to see Kim lead the company regulation team that we have in Iowa,” Armstrong said. “I feel good knowing that Iowa will continue a thoughtful and common-sense approach to insurance regulation while protecting consumers by providing a fair and flexible regulatory environment.”
“Iowa is extremely grateful for Jim’s leadership over the years. Company regulation is so vital to what we do at the Iowa Insurance Division and I’m very lucky to have someone of Kim’s talent level continue leading such an experienced and talented team,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “Iowa has long been a leader nationally in the area of statutory accounting and we will continue that tradition.”
The Iowa Insurance Division is adding a new leadership position to our team – Chief Accounting Specialist that will focus on statutory accounting. Individuals interested in learning more or applying for the Chief Accounting Specialist position are encouraged to do so here.
Iowa’s current leadership team in company regulation includes:
Kim Cross – Acting Deputy Commissioner for Supervision
Cross joined the Iowa Insurance Division in 1989 and will now be serving as the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Supervision. In that role she will be responsible for overseeing the company regulation bureau’s 50 employees, implements group supervision for internationally active insurance groups, coordinates and participates in supervisory colleges, leads review of all mergers, acquisitions, administrative or judicial supervision and other material changes in corporate organization.
Cross served as Chief Examiner since 2016. In her role as Chief Examiner, Cross was responsible for financial examination and financial analysis of insurers licensed in Iowa. Prior to her appointment as Chief Examiner, Cross served as Assistant Chief Examiner and Company Regulation Counsel with the Iowa Insurance Division.
Cross has extensive experience involving mergers, acquisitions, group supervision and liquidation of insurance companies. She represents Iowa on numerous NAIC task forces and working groups including the NAIC Receivership and Insolvency Task Force and Model Law Working Group. Cross currently serves as Secretary of the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.
Cross holds a BS in Business from Northwest Missouri State. Cross obtained her law degree from the Drake University School of Law in 1989, and is licensed to practice law in Iowa.
Mike Yanacheak – Chief Actuary
Mike Yanacheak joined the Iowa Insurance Division in 2013 and he currently serves as the Chief Actuary. His responsibilities include actuarial functions and representing Iowa on related National Association of Insurance Commissioners task forces and working groups. Prior to joining the Iowa Insurance Division, Yanacheak was an annuity and life product development actuary for 19 years.
Yanacheak is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He earned his BSBA at Drake University.
Carrie Mears, CFA – Chief Investment Specialist
Carrie Mears joined the Iowa Insurance Division in 2018 and she currently serves as the Chief Investment Specialist. Her responsibilities include setting Iowa Insurance Division policy, providing expertise on insurance company investment portfolios and hedging programs, and representing Iowa on related National Association of Insurance Commissioners working groups. Prior to joining the Division, Mears worked for Principal Global Investors and Ernst & Young. Her experience spans investment management and accounting, including working with insurance company general accounts and mutual funds.
Mears holds an MBA from the University of Iowa, and a BA & MS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois. She is a CFA charterholder since 2011.
Alan Harder – Assistant Chief Examiner
Alan Harder joined the Iowa Insurance Division in 1984 and he currently serves as an Assistant Chief Examiner. His responsibilities include supervising company financial analysis for all Iowa Domiciled Insurers. Harder oversees the analysis segment of the NAIC Accreditation requirement for the Iowa Insurance Division. He is a member of the Financial Analysis Working Group (FAWG) at the NAIC.
Harder is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa.
Dan Mathis – Assistant Chief Examiner
Dan Mathis joined the Iowa Insurance Division in 2010 and he currently serves as an Assistant Chief Examiner since 2015. His responsibilities include supervising financial examinations for all Iowa Domiciled Insurers and representing Iowa on related National Association of Insurance Commissioners working groups.
Dan graduated magna cum laude from Iowa State University with a BA in Accounting in 2009. In 2010, he earned a second BA from Iowa State University in Management Information Systems. Dan earned his MBA from Drake University in December of 2013.
