The Nevada Division of Insurance has gained an acting commissioner in the form of former Chief Deputy Commissioner Ned Gaines, who was appointed to the interim commissioner position effective July 2.
Gaines is filling in for departing commissioner Scott Kipper, who had previously held the office since February 2023. The appointment of Gaines to acting commissioner was announced by Dr. Kristopher Sanchez, industry director of the state’s Department of Business and Industry, on July 3.
Recruitment to fill permanently fill the commissioner position will continue to be conducted in the meantime.
As acting commissioner, Gaines brings more than 25 years of insurance industry experience to the table. Prior to joining the Nevada Division of Insurance in April 2025 as chief deputy commissioner, he served for 12 years with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner in a variety of management roles, most recently as the deputy commissioner of rates, forms and provider networks.
Before that, Gaines worked for several national property and casualty insurers as a compliance manager, claims manager, claims adjuster and agent.
Gaines earned a master's degree in public policy from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and a bachelor's degree in business and management from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. He also holds multiple insurance professional designations and is an active member of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society and the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, where he served as president of the Northwest Chapter.