Jim Beck (politician)
Jim C. Beck (born September, 1961) is the Insurance Commissioner of Georgia.[1] Jim previously served as the Deputy Insurance Commissioner of Georgia to former Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine.[2]
Jim Beck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Insurance Commissioner of Georgia | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2019 Suspended: May 16, 2019 – present | |
| Governor | Brian Kemp |
| Preceded by | Ralph Hudgens |
| Succeeded by | John King (Acting)* |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 29, 1961 Douglasville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Beck |
| Education | University of West Georgia (BA) |
| *King serves for the duration of Beck's suspension, pending the outcome of his trial if before the 2022 election. | |
In August 2017, Beck announced he would run to replace Ralph Hudgens as the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner of Georgia.[3]
Early life
Jim Beck was born in Douglasville, Georgia. He graduated from Pebblebrook High School in 1979. Jim graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing.
Political career
Beck's first role in public service was as Deputy Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for the State of Georgia. Later he served as the Chief of Staff for Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens. In August of 2017 Beck announced his candidacy for the office of Insurance Commissioner in Georgia in 2018.[3]
On May 14, 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim C. Beck for fraud, having embezzled more than $2 million from the Georgia Underwriting Association from February 2013 - August 2018. Beck was elected Commissioner in 2018, after previously serving as general manager of operations for the Georgia Underwriting Association.
On May 16, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order suspending Beck from office at Beck’s request pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.[4]
Personal life
Jim Beck and his wife Lucy reside in Carrollton, Georgia; they have one son, Jimmy Beck, Jr.
References
- Miller, Andy (November 7, 2018). "Beck apparent winner for state insurance post". georgiahealthnews.com.
- Boyer, Sam. "Jim beck - running for Georgia Insurance Commissioner". insurancebusinessmag.com.
- "Former Georgia Deputy Insurance Commissioner Beck to Seek State's Top Insurance Post". www.insurancejournal.com. 2017-10-17.
- "Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck suspended after fraud indictment". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-05-18.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ralph Hudgens |
Insurance Commissioner of Georgia 2019–present Suspended: 2019–present |
Succeeded by John King Acting |