Benjamin Nelson

From 200I-2013 Senator Ben Nelson served two terms representing the state of Nebraska in the United States Senate. He did not seek a third six year term and was elected Chief Executive Officer of the National Association Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) from 2013-2016 based on his unique combination of executive, legislative, and state insurance regulatory experience. Senator Nelson began his career in state insurance regulation October l,1965 with the Nebraska Department of Insurance as Supervisor of Claims and Inquiries. He was promoted to Compliance Director responsible for insurance industry compliance with Nebraska Insurance laws and

Senator Nelson began his career in state insurance regulation October l,1965 with the Nebraska Department of Insurance as Supervisor of Claims and Inquiries. He was promoted to Compliance Director responsible for insurance industry compliance with Nebraska Insurance laws and regulations. In 197 5 he was appointed by the Governor as Director of Insurance for Nebraska. He continued to impart his already extensive experience in insurance and insurance regulation in the insurance industry first as Vice President and General Counsel, and then as CEO of the Central National Insurance Group of Omaha. Then in 1982 Nelson was selected as Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of the NAIC to manage the transition of the NAIC Central Office from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Kansas City, Missouri. Completing the transition in 1985 Nelson left the NAIC to begin his campaign for Governor of Nebraska. In 1990 he was elected Governor and reelected to a second term in 1994by nearly 75o/o of the vote. As Governor he balanced eight straight budgets with three tax cuts while maintaining the lowest unemployment rate of all the states for eight years. He left as Governor with a record balance in the states’ general fund and rainy day account. As Governor he was actively involved with the Nebraska State Insurance Director, a member he appointed to his cabinet, on numerous insurance regulatory matters.

In the U.S. Senate he was considered by his colleagues the point person on state insurance regulatory issues, including a key role securing state oversight on the Affordable Care Act. Serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Nelson’s priorities began with the drought that had plagued the U.S. for the eight years prior to his election. He worked to make disaster relief a part of the budget, so producers did not repeatedly turn to emergency measures to receive help. Senator Nelson’s work on the 2008 Farm Bili brought together his fiscal conservatism and commitment to American farmers.

Nelson sits on the Board of Behlen Manufacturing Corporation, a global manufacturer headquartered in Nebraska, as well as a founding board member of the National Strategic Research Institute, a United States Strategic Command sponsored University Affiliated Research Center at the University of Nebraska focused on combating and responding to national security threats.

Senator Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in 1963, a master’s degree in 1965 and a law degree in 1970, all from the University of Nebraska. Nelson also received the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska College of Law and an honorary doctor of letters from the University of Nebraska in 20l3. Senator Nelson and his wife, former first lady Diane Nelson, have four children and five grandchildren.