Barb Rankin is leaving her position as assistant insurance commissioner, retiring after 17 years in state government and 43 years practicing as an attorney.
Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt hired Rankin in 2019 shortly after she was elected insurance commissioner.
As assistant insurance commissioner, Rankin served as the administrative hearing officer for the department and oversaw the Financial Surveillance, Consumer Assistance, and Rate and Form Compliance Divisions.
“I will always be grateful to Commissioner Schmidt for giving me the opportunity to join her leadership team,” Rankin said in a statement.
“It has been a wonderful experience to work with such a dedicated and collaborative group,” she said.
“Under the commissioner’s leadership, so much has been accomplished to enhance the processes at the department, in particular the assistance that is provided to Kansans, and the operations that impact the industry,” she said.
A Wellsville native, Rankin served as chief counsel for the Kansas Department of Transportation before she went to work for the insurance commissioner.
She also served as acting KDOT secretary after Deb Miller left for the private sector at the end of 2011.
After joining KDOT, Rankin participated in the rollout of a new multiyear transportation program and the reevaluation of the agency’s cable-median barrier policy.
She also worked as general counsel and corporate secretary for CrossFirst Holdings from 2007 to 2011.
“Barb’s knowledge and expertise have been an invaluable asset to the department,” Schmidt said in a statement.
“She has left an indelible mark on everyone she has worked with through her mentorship, work ethic and detailed understanding of Kansas law,” she said.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed to have her as my assistant Commissioner and Kansas is better because of her service.”
A new assistant commissioner has not yet been named.
