West Des Moines, Iowa — Steve Shaffer, Homesteaders Chairman, President and CEO, announced the appointment of Nick Gerhart as Executive VP-Chief Innovation Officer, effective August 3, 2020.
“Acknowledging the innovation imperative Homesteaders has adopted over the past few years, the success we have accomplished to date and the need to maintain a strong commitment to the framework we have established for achieving our longer-term goals, I am pleased to announce that Nick Gerhart will join our company’s executive leadership team,” Shaffer said.
Gerhart will be responsible for proactively seeking out and developing opportunities to optimize company growth through innovation that is consistent with Homesteaders’ core values, purpose and vision. A proven change agent, strategist and executive leader, Gerhart previously served as Commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division, where he transformed that department and increased the State of Iowa’s international prominence through his thought leadership and the creation of the Global Insurance Symposium held annually in Des Moines. Most recently, he was Chief Administrative Officer for FBL Financial.
“This important addition to our team is consistent with our ongoing commitment to attract and retain the best talent at all levels of the organization to help us continue to promote the value of funeral service and enable us to reach more people interested in funeral prearrangement and funding,” Shaffer commented. “We are excited that Nick will bring his varied experiences and exceptional talent to our Homesteaders team, to amplify our commitment to connect consumers with funeral professionals, helping them to plan a better farewell.”
Gerhart expressed his excitement about this opportunity based on Homesteaders’ culture of innovation and commitment to long-term success for the benefit of its key stakeholders. “Homesteaders has a tremendous management team that has taken decisive steps to embrace innovation and position the company for future success. Ventures such as eFuneral and Benekiva demonstrate a clear commitment to taking the steps necessary to meet the needs of consumers and compete in the future. I look forward to further driving innovation that helps the company grow, remain passionate about its mission and compete in an ever changing marketplace.”
A resident of Johnston, Iowa, Gerhart and his wife, Jessica, have four children. He is heavily involved in community and philanthropic organizations including ChildServe, Variety the Children’s Charity and JDRF.
Homesteaders Life Company, a mutual company owned by its policy holders, is a national leader providing products and services to promote and support the funding of advance funeral planning and end-of-life expenses.
