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Fargo attorney picked as the new insurance commissioner

WILL KINCAID/Tribune Adam Hamm, left, North DakotaÕs new Insurance Commissioner talks about his future plans during a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday. Hoeven appointed Hamm to replace former commissioner Jim Poolman, who resigned Sept. 1, 2007. Standing next to Hamm is his girlfriend Michelle Hovde. Standing on the right is North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.

Oct 10, 2007 - 04:01:41 CDT

By JONATHAN RIVOLI
Bismarck Tribune

Fargo attorney Adam Hamm will take over as North Dakota insurance commissioner on Oct. 22, the governor's office announced Tuesday morning.

Hamm, 36, was appointed to the position Tuesday by Gov. John Hoeven. He replaces Jim Poolman, who resigned the post in late August to open a private insurance consulting business.

"(Hoeven) has put his trust in me, and I intend to earn that trust and earn it on behalf of the people of North Dakota," Hamm said.

A lawyer with Anderson and Bottrell, Hamm formerly worked in the Cass County prosecutor's office. As an assistant prosecutor, Hamm worked on the 1999 conviction of Kyle Bell for the 1993 disappearance of 11-year-old Jeanna North. He also has been active in political circles as chairman of the Cass County Republican Party.

Hoeven said Hamm's dual experience in the public and private sectors, along with his commitment to returning to public service, stood out during the decision-making process.

"Adam brings not only a strong legal background to this job, but also a background of serving the people," Hoeven said.

As insurance commissioner, Hamm will earn $76,511 a year.

Hamm learned of the governor's decision Monday and will serve out the remainder of Poolman's term, which runs through January 2009. He announced Tuesday that he'll be seeking a full term as insurance commissioner during the 2008 election.

A native of Jamestown, Hamm graduated from high school in Torrence, Calif., and attended college at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He graduated from law school at the University of North Dakota in 1998.

Hamm brings little insurance experience to the job, but he said this gives him the advantage of bringing a fresh perspective to the job. He also said he's a quick learner.

"I know I have lots to learn, and I intend to do that quickly," Hamm said.

Jaime Selzler, executive director of the North Dakota Democratic Party, said he was disappointed to see somebody with so little insurance experience appointed to the post. Calling the appointment political, Selzler said it would have been better to appoint somebody with insurance experience who could bring quick expertise to the regulator post.

"Instead of taking the next year to learning how to do the job, he'll spend the next year campaigning for it," he said of Hamm.

Hamm said his top priority as insurance commissioner will be consumer protection, while creating competition in the marketplace comes in a close second. Hamm said he can accomplish the latter by not being "an overly oppressive regulator."

He also pledged to serve out a full four-year term if elected to the position next fall.

"My plan would be to serve the entire four years," Hamm said.

A likely opponent is Rep. Jasper Schneider, D-Fargo, who has expressed interest in running for the job.

Selzler called him "the most serious candidate we have."

Schneider, 28, said his main goal is to make the office more flexible and responsive to consumers. He said he will be making an announcement in the coming weeks and that Tuesday's appointment will not affect his decision.

"I don't know what type of insurance commissioner Adam Hamm will be, but I know I would make an excellent insurance commissioner," he said.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

1bigone wrote on Oct 11, 2007 8:07 AM:

" To Steve: I care because I pay for that vehicle, and the gas he puts in it. I am sure there are other ethanol cars that get a little better than 16 MPG. Ask the 30 people at the ethanol plant in Graffton that are being layed off how well the North Dakota ethanol is doing. Of course, don't ask Hoeven, he is busy doing nothing. "

Real Guy wrote on Oct 10, 2007 9:11 PM:

" What did Conrad and Dorgan know about legislating before being elected to Congress? Neither had served in any legislative body before. However, they must be doing a bang up job as the people of ND love them and keep re-elected them by overwhelming margins. Plus, Dorgan and Conrad keep bringing home the bacon, which should be senator's number one priority as we all know. I think Hamm will do just fine. "

george wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:48 PM:

" Gotta love the double standards of the Dem bloggers. Yes, it is obvious what party for which you advocate. Had Hoeven choosen someone with insurance background, you would have complained about him being an insider. Instead Hoeven picked an attorney with public service history as a prosecutor defending the public. For an office dedicated to protecting consumers, Hamm is the perfect choice. Oh, by the way, he has the same kind of experience Democrats Glen and Earl Pomeroy had going into the office. Where were your cries of anquish then? The Dem attack machine is in full swing...and predictable and petty as always. "

just me wrote on Oct 10, 2007 6:34 PM:

" I agree with 1bigone, I think the whole state fleet should consist of those little eco cars that run on bio fuels not that I am a fan of them but why do we need all of those full size vehicals that you see parked at walmart or the mall on the weekends or late at night ever sit and wait to see who gets in them and what they put in them when they leave those places Hmmm dont look like work to me it looks like those people that are issued a fleet car or truck use it for more than work "

Steve wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:30 PM:

" To "1bigone" What do you care what car he drives? Unbelievable! But, since you're so concerned about it, the reason he does drive that car is because it runs on ethanol which is good for the ND economy. "

Hoeven should go wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:06 PM:

" This is nothing more than another plum for political favor by John Hoeven. Hoeven is the king of cronyism North Dakota has ever had as governor. It's time for him to go. "

Sam wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:36 PM:

" Maybe Hamm was the best qualified for the job. Wasn't the applicant pool rather small? Nobody wanted the job, so Hoeven appointed the best of what he had to work with. Give the guy a chance before you all start complaining. "

1bigone wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:19 PM:

" If Hoeven is so smart, why does he drive a big Chevy Suburban around with only him in it. You would think that if you went to those schools you could figure out that gas mileage would be better and less expensive for the tax payers in a smaller more fuel efficient car. "

To Election wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:18 PM:

" Not in the eyes of every North Dakotan. "

Steve Perry wrote on Oct 10, 2007 1:50 PM:

" I don't know... Mr. Hamm looks like the type of guy that'll invite you right in for tea and scrumpets. That's the type of guy I'm looking for in an Insurance Commissioner. "

HJW wrote on Oct 10, 2007 12:56 PM:

" Being valedictorian of your high school class, graduating with high honors from an Ivy league school, attending Northwestern for a masters, and being "one of the most intelligent men in ND, if not the entire country", doesn't mean one has common sense or didn't make the appointment for political reasons. If you read the posts, they aren't about Governor Hoeven not being smart. They are about the lack of appointing somone who is in some remote way connected to the insurance field; instead opting for an appointment for pure political reasons. What's next, hiring/appointing the State Auditor without a background in accounting? Or how about electing our next Attorney General witout a law degree? I could go on, but the point is, for the position as important as the lead person in insurance for the whole of the state, you truly should find somebody that has at least a smidget in their background dealing with insurance. I think it only fair that the Insurance Department employees all get a raise for the training they will be doing. "

To 'Me' wrote on Oct 10, 2007 12:42 PM:

" But . . . Hoeven isn't the one who will be insurance commissioner. Hamm will have to stand or fall on his own. "

Me wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:50 AM:

" FYI: Hoeven was valedictorian of his high school class, graduated with high honors at an Ivy league (Dartmouth) and attended Northwestern for his masters, another high credited University. He is probably one of the most intelligent men in ND, if not the entire country. If you don't believe me, sit down and have a conversation with him. He has done a great job for the state, SO- why don't you all put a little trust in him and give his appointment a chance. I doubt you people will do that since the most anyone does on these forums is complain, but I challenge you to do so before you make judgement. He is the highest ranked Governor for a reason...! "

Election wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:29 AM:

" You guys kill me. Governor Hoeven is such a bad guy, but he wins re-election in a land slide and will again for a third term. I'm predicting 70% of the vote. He must be really incompetent in the eyes of North Dakotans. "

just me wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:15 AM:

" atleast his girlfriend is cute, like they say behind every great man is a a a a great girlfriend ? "

Miler wrote on Oct 10, 2007 9:42 AM:

" Anyone that knows anything about insurance knows there is ALOT to learn. This isn't something you learn overnight. You can be in the business for years and years and years and still not know nearly everything you need to know. I also am shocked that someone without any knowledge of insurance was hired as the "insurance commissioner". It's crazy but what choice do we have but to give this guy a chance. I'm sure he is a quick learner and very bright but believe me, I'm sure he hasn't a clue what he is getting himself into. "

Jim S wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:32 AM:

" Maybe we should give this guy a chance before getting all depressed. I too am a little bummed that Hoeven didn't pick someone with some insurance experience but it is not that tuff and some legal experience is not all bad for the job. I don't think Poolman had much of any experience in the feild either. As an insurance agent myself, I hope this guy will work for both the consumer and the insurance company. "

Al Gee wrote on Oct 10, 2007 7:55 AM:

" I'm betting you guys are the ones that complain during a drought if the rains coming down too hard. "

To Gregg wrote on Oct 10, 2007 7:54 AM:

" Don't withhold your vote, use it to vote for the other person who is better suited for the office of governor. We need to get rid of this rich, good for nothing, silver spoon in his mouth, incopetent governor! "

To Gregg wrote on Oct 10, 2007 7:44 AM:

" I didn't vote for Hoeven in the last elections, don't plan on voting for him the next time either. "

Gregg wrote on Oct 10, 2007 6:51 AM:

" This is it? This is the best Gov. Hoeven could come up with after all this time? After all that hard thoughtfull process! The best he could come up with is an attonrey with zilch, nada, zip, absolutely nothing in experience in insurance? This smacks of political appointing so bad it isn't even funny!!!! And for that, we all should choose to withhold our vote when election time comes. "

Awww how sweet wrote on Oct 10, 2007 6:38 AM:

" How sweet....he brought his girlfriend along for the picture = ) Where is Mommy & Daddy? and Nana too?? "

george wrote on Oct 10, 2007 6:32 AM:

" Good pick. A former prosecutor and civil litigation attorney is just what the job requires to be an effective consumer advocate. "

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