Colorado Names New Insurance Commissioner

June 30, 2011

Gov. John Hickenlooper announced that Rep. Jim Riesberg will be the state’s new commissioner of Insurance. He resigned his House seat today (June 30) and will assume the commissioner's post July 1.

“Colorado title industry professionals welcome the new commissioner and look forward to working with him,” said Cindy Compton, president of the Land Title Association of Colorado. “Jim Riesberg has a reputation as a legislator who 'does his homework' and asks thoughtful questions. These traits will serve him well as Commissioner of Insurance.”

Riesberg will replace John Postolowski, who was appointed as interim insurance commissioner on Dec. 1. Postolowski joined the Division of Insurance in 1998, and was eventually promoted to his current deputy position in 2004.

“Jim has deep experience as a legislator and public servant. He also has a distinguished career in the insurance, human resources and private sectors,” Hickenlooper said. “He shares our commitment to an ethic of outstanding customer service and we are pleased to have him as the new commissioner."

Riesberg was first elected in 2004 to represent House District 50 (Greeley, Garden City and Evans) in the Colorado General Assembly. He is currently the ranking member of the Health and Environment Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee.

"It's truly an honor to be selected by Governor Hickenlooper to oversee the Division of Insurance for the state and to be recognized for my decades of experience in this field. I look forward to working with consumers, the insurance industry, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Governor's Office, and my colleagues in the legislature in this new capacity," Riesberg said.

Riesberg is a Colorado native who has lived in Greeley for 30 years. He worked for 24 years at various insurance and human resource companies, including Allstate Insurance Co. and Hearth Company Real Estate and Insurance. He also spent 16 years in leadership roles with nonprofit organizations specializing in aging, hunger and housing issues. He also taught junior high school for five years.


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