Allen Williams has held a variety of positions during his 17-year career with the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), most recently as a Marketing Manager and also specifically as the IDED's Insurance Development Project Manager. Previous to working in government, Allen held positions in sales and marketing for several companies in the private sector. Allen earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University as well as an MBA from the University of Iowa. Allen enjoys traveling and lived for a year in China. He and his wife have three children and live in Indianola.
Susan E. Voss became Iowa Insurance Commissioner on January 1, 2005. She is a graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa with a J.D. from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Ms. Voss has held a number of different positions with state government including Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Transportation, Legal Counsel to the State Ombudsman, Counsel to the Iowa Legislature in the area of taxation and economic development, and Tax Policy Attorney for the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. Since 1993, Voss has been with the Iowa Insurance Division. She was appointed 1st Deputy Commissioner for the Iowa Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce in 1999. She supervises legislation, administrative rules, health care related issues, and the administration and budget for the Division. She represents the Division before the Iowa General Assembly. In addition, she works with other state regulatory bodies in addressing healthcare-related issues. She is the liaison with many of the federal regulators in relation to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Ms. Voss sits on various committees at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Bradley S. Kuster, CPCU, is the President of Continental Western Group of Urbandale, Iowa. He came to the Des Moines area in April of 1999 and is responsible for over 650 employees and an annual written premium in excess of $450 million. Brad spearheaded the consolidation of Continental Western Insurance Company, Union Insurance Company in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Tri-State Insurance Company of Luverne, Minnesota. Prior to moving to Des Moines, he served as President of Union Insurance Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. His 25 year career includes experience in underwriting, marketing, systems, and product development in the Midwest and Southwest. Brad earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin and the CPCU and ARM designations.
Jim Swift, CPCU, has more than 25 years insurance experience with Holmes Murphy - one of the nation's top 20 independent insurance brokers. He joined Holmes Murphy in 1980 as an Account Executive and was named Sr. Vice President of Sales in 1988 prior to becoming President of Holmes Murphy Brokerage Services in 1993. Jim holds a degree in insurance from the University of Iowa and has earned the CPCU designation. He has been actively involved in professional, civic and charitable organizations. Jim is a past Chairman of the Junior Achievement of Central Iowa; is past Chairman of Young Presidents' Organization - Iowa Chapter; and is on the boards of directors for Liberty Bank and the Dowling Foundation.
Edward T. Berg, CPCU, has served as President, CEO, and Treasurer of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co. of Algona, Iowa since 2003. He has been employed by Pharmacists Mutual since 1977. Prior to that he was with McGladrey & Pullen. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and holds an MBA from Drake University. He is a CPA and is a member of the Iowa Society of CPAs. Ed has also earned the CPCU and ARe designations. He currently serves as President of the Kossuth County Economic Development Corporation and has been involved in a variety of civic activities in his community.
W. Kim Austen, CPCU, is Senior Vice President of Commercial/Farm Product Pricing for the Nationwide property and casualty organization. In this capacity, he is responsible for the products and pricing of commercial and farm insurance for Nationwide and Allied Insurance. Mr. Austen was elected to this role in October of 2003. Prior to his current position he served as Senior Vice President - Product Development for Allied Insurance, where he oversaw the product management of staff underwriting, staff actuarial and the bond departments. Mr. Austen was elected to that position in January of 2001. Mr. Austen began his career with Allied in 1976 as a claims representative. He has held various management positions in underwriting and was named Regional Vice President in the Rocky Mountain Regional Office in 1990. He moved to the Lincoln Regional Office in 1992 as Regional Vice President and became Regional Vice President of the Des Moines Regional Office in 1994. Mr. Austen is a 1976 graduate of the University of Nebraska with a B.S. degree in mathematics and economics and has earned the CPCU designation. He serves his community in many ways, including as a board member of the Science Center of Iowa. Mr. Austen, and his wife, Jean, have three children and live in Ankeny, Iowa.
Millicent W. Workman, CPCU, CPIW, AU, is Director of Risk Management for Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation in Memphis, TN. She is a past President and Treasurer of the Society's Memphis Chapter, and is currently serving as National President of the CPCU Society. She has served as a Regional Vice President, National Director, and as Chairman of the Society's Risk Management Review Task Force. Workman is also active with RIMS, as past President of the Memphis Chapter; Insurance Women of Memphis; and Ole Miss Insurance Advisory Council. In recognition for her dedication and service, Business Insurance named Workman "Risk Manager of the Year" in 1992 and one of the "100 Leading Women in Insurance" in 2000.