Indiana Insurance Commissioner to Become a Utility Regulator

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed Department of Insurance (DOI) Commissioner Jim Atterholt to serve on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Atterholt will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Greg Server. Bedford native and current DOI Chief Deputy Commissioner Carol Cutter will succeed Atterholt at the department.

Daniels praised Atterholt’s performance as insurance commissioner, saying Atterholt “transformed the department from a source of constant criticism to a nationally recognized source of pride.”

Atterholt was appointed DOI commissioner in 2005. During his tenure, he led agency reform efforts to make DOI more responsive to consumers and the insurance industry while strengthening the department’s commitment to consumer protection.

Atterholt also initiated a program to provide DOI assistance to Hoosier victims of natural disasters who are having problems with insurance claims. Since 2005, the DOI has set record numbers with respect to the dollars recovered for consumers who filed insurance-related complaints.

Atterholt served as a state representative (House District 86) from 1998-2002 where he served on the commerce committee and worked as the director of state government affairs for AT&T Indiana from 2003-2004. He previously served as a congressional aide in Indiana and Washington, D.C., where his responsibilities included energy issues.

Cutter has served as DOI deputy commissioner of health issues since 2005. She has led efforts to eliminate an 18-month backlog of rate and form filings for health, life, and property/casualty products in her first two years on the job.

Cutter also helped establish a self-certification process for life and annuity rate and form filings to allow for a faster turnaround for approval of those insurance products for marketing.

Prior to serving in state government, Cutter worked in various capacities in the insurance industry for nearly 30 years.

Atterholt’s and Cutter’s appointments will be effective June 22.