Ark. Regulator Tapped for Presidential Appointment

Arkansas State Insurance Commissioner Mike Pickens announced that President George W. Bush appointed the Insurance Department’s Deputy Commissioner John Hartnedy to the Department of Defense Retirement Board of Actuaries. As part of a three-member panel board, Deputy Commissioner Hartnedy will serve the remainder of a 15-year term, which will expire September 2014.

“John Hartnedy is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced actuaries in the country,” Commissioner Pickens said. “I am not at all surprised that his talent has been recognized and honored by our President. The Insurance Department, every insurance consumer in the State of Arkansas, and now citizens throughout America are fortunate to have the benefit of John’s wisdom and expertise.”

Hartnedy began his career with the Arkansas Insurance Department in 1996, where in addition to his duties as Deputy Commissioner, he also serves as the Department’s Chief Life and Health Actuary. Prior to joining the Department, he worked in senior management positions for various high profile insurance companies. Hartnedy is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and the Fellow Society of Actuaries.

“I am extremely honored and humbled by President Bush’s appointment to this position,” Hartnedy said. “I am committed to use my skills to offer the best counsel possible to benefit the citizens of this great country.”

As a member of the Board, Hartnedy will be charged with providing actuarially sound determinations to sustain the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund. The mission of that Board is to assist and advise the President, Secretary of Defense, and the U.S. Congress on actuarial matters relative to the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund. The Fund was created to finance liabilities of the Department of Defense under the military retirement and survivor benefit programs.