NU Online News Service, Oct. 20, 12:00 p.m. EDT

ORLANDO, Fla.–The leadership of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners fully expects some major turnover in its ranks in the coming months, but they've done it before and expect to continue with their work unabated.

In interviews with NU Online News Service, the NAIC leadership, during the association's annual meeting here, said it fully expects to see a significant number of new regulators based on a combination of retirements and the results of the upcoming midterm elections.

"We are expecting significant turnover," said Therese Vaughan, chief executive officer of the NAIC. "We expect a number of new members who will not be familiar with the work that [the NAIC does]. We are thinking hard about how to bring them into the fold and continue to do the important work that we are doing. We are doing some very hard thinking about it."

On Monday, NU Online News Service reported that during a meeting in Washington, D.C. of the American Council of Life Insurers, the upcoming elections could result in as many as 17 new insurance commissioners.

The speculation at the ACLI is that incoming NAIC Chairwoman Susan E. Voss, insurance commissioner of Iowa, could be among those ousted from their posts.

In an interview, current NAIC President and West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline said there is likely to be some turnover between the election of new commissioners, retirements and appointments, "but the depth of that can't be determined."

However, the NAIC has gone through significant change in its membership in the past and survived that experience. She said she expects nothing different this time.

She said there is also a substantial amount of experience within the state insurance departments. New commissioners often lean on the knowledge and experience of the staff of the NAIC for help.

"Change does happen," said Commissioner Cline, and the NAIC has in place a training program for new commissioners. The association also offers a mentoring program for sister departments, she added.

She doubted the commissioner changes within the NAIC would amount to disruption of its ongoing work and is confident that those who remain will reach out to their newer counterparts.

"The personnel in each department and the significant amount of experience that they have, that makes change easier," she noted.

Without commenting directly on any elections, she seemed to dismiss speculation that Commissioner Voss would be replaced, noting that she has seen a governorship change in her own state, yet she has remained in her post.

Special Reports /

Work Of NAIC Will Continue Despite Turnover

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