Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has appointed Ted Nickel, of Merrill, as Commissioner of Insurance and Dan Schwartzer as Deputy Commissioner.
“I am honored and grateful to Governor Walker for the trust he has placed in Dan and me,” said Nickel. “As one of the top ten industries in Wisconsin, insurance plays a vital role in Wisconsin’s economy and the Governor’s agenda for growth and job creation.”
Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Nickel worked for nearly 18 years with Church Mutual Insurance Company in Merrill, as Director of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs making him well suited to understand the pressures facing companies.
“Compliance with insurance regulations is a complex task for companies,” said Nickel. “Governor Walker wants to ensure that these regulations protect consumers while not overburdening companies.”
Commissioner Nickel’s broad background in insurance includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, including serving as Chair. Commissioner Nickel has also served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund and served on the Oklahoma Property Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association and also served as a member of the Legal and Government Affairs Committee of the Property Casualty Insurance Association of America.
Commissioner Nickel has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Valparaiso University.
He has recently served on the Northcentral Technical College Board of Trustees for six years. While there he served as Secretary/Treasurer and participated in a CEO recruiting committee. Locally, he has chaired the Merrill Parks and Recreation Committee and is vice-chair of the City Planning Commission.
In 1999 he ran unsuccessfully for the Wisconsin State Assembly. Prior to coming to Church Mutual, he worked in the Governor Thompson Administration.
In his spare time he teaches hunter and boater safety courses, mentors youth and spends time with his wife Kim, and their two children Anie and Jack.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Dan Schwartzer has spent the last 28 years in the insurance industry starting out as a licensed insurance agent and eventually representing the industry to both the legislature and regulatory agencies representing various trade associations.
“I’m very excited to be a part of Governor Walker’s team and working with Commissioner Nickel,” said Schwartzer. “I believe our combined experience will make accomplishing the Governor’s vision for the proper level of regulation of insurance a reality in Wisconsin.”
Dan’s previous government relations firm represented organizations including the Wisconsin Employee Benefit Advisors Association, the Wisconsin PPO Association and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.
Dan has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.
“I’m pleased to have Ted and Dan join my team to help grow Wisconsin,” said Governor Walker. “Both men know the industry well, and know how vital proper regulation is to economic growth and job creation.”