The man who has led the Missouri Department of Insurance since Gov. Matt Blunt took office in January 2005 announced on Tuesday his planned retirement.
Dale Finke served as director for the past two years while the department gained responsibility for oversight of banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, as well as professional registration.
Blunt in a news release praised Finke’s leadership “during a time of transition at the department.”
Finke entered the insurance business when he was 18, joining his father, grandfather and uncle in 1957 at the family business begun by his grandfather in 1932. The company split in 1971, and Finke eventually became the owner of ISU Corporate Insurance Management.
He was named Insurance Man of the Year in 1977 by the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents.
Blunt tapped Finke’s deputy director, Doug Ommen, as the next director. Ommen, who also is the Insurance Department’s general counsel, is from Jefferson City and was the commissioner of securities while Blunt was secretary of state from 2001-2005. Ommen graduated from Rockhurst College and attended law school at St. Louis University.
Blunt cited Ommen’s commitment to improving customer service and experience as commissioner of securities for the appointment.
Ommen’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
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