Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Insurance appointed several veteran regulators into new positions during the first quarter of 2013.

Department of Insurance Director John M. Huff recently announced that John Rehagen, Mary Kempker, Molly White, Jeana Thomas and Tamara Kopp will assume new roles in the department. Chris Cline was also recruited as the department's communications director.

"These veteran regulators have proven to be invaluable team members by serving in various leadership roles," Huff said. "Their years of experience in insurance will help the department achieve its goals of ensuring that consumers are treated fairly while maintaining a competitive insurance marketplace in Missouri."

John Rehagen

Rehagen was promoted to deputy division director of Insurance Company Regulation. Previously, Rehagen served as the department's Captive Program Manager before holding positions as a financial examiner and a financial analyst.

Rehagen has been with the department since 2003. He holds a Certified Financial Examiner designation from the Society of Financial Examiners.

Chris Cline

Cline comes to the department from the Missouri Department of Corrections, where he served as the communications director for two years. Prior to that, Cline was a reporter at the Daily Journal in Park Hills, Mo. for 10 years. He is a graduate of Central Methodist University and holds degrees in public administration and psychology. Cline will be responsible for press inquiries and consumer outreach initiatives, such as educational videos, brochures and other tools to help consumers better understand insurance.

Mary Kempker

Kempker was promoted to manager of the Life and Health Section within the division of Market Regulation. Kempker most recently served as the manager of the Property and Casualty Section in the division of Consumer Affairs.

Kempker has more than 12 years of experience working at the department and has served in a variety of capacities during her tenure, including division director of Consumer Affairs and Market Regulation. She recently received her Accredited Insurance Examiner designation from the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society, and also holds a Fellow, Academy for Health Management designation from the Academy for Healthcare Management.

Molly White

White has been promoted to the manager of Health Insurance Reforms Initiatives within Market Regulation, where she will lead specific market reform initiatives related to health insurance. Previously, she served as manager of the Life and Health Section within Market Regulation, where she spent several years regulating health insurance products and the marketplace. Prior to that, she was a research analyst with the department.

White has been with the department since 1999 and holds a master's degree in health administration from the University of Missouri.

Jeana Thomas

Thomas was promoted to manager of the Property and Casualty Section within Consumer Affairs. Thomas has served for more than 11 years in the division as a Consumer Services Specialists, and brings her insurance claims experience into her new position.

Tamara Kopp

Kopp recently promoted to Receivership Counsel/Supervisor. Kopp has been with the department since 2006, and previously served as Senior Counsel within the Legal Section of the department, where she handled enforcement cases against insurance agents and agencies licensed by the department.

Kopp earned her law degree from the University of Missouri in 2006 and began working for the department soon after graduation.