Chief Deputy Commissioner

Russ Galbraith has worked in the insurance industry since 1997. Since joining the Arkansas Insurance Department in 2015 as Chief Deputy Commissioner, he has authored the Department’s efficiency report, led the effort to streamline agent pre-license education, and served as hearing officer for numerous agent, company, and consumer issues. Russ is a fierce advocate for state-based insurance regulation and serves as an active member of several NAIC committees, including the Market Actions Working Group (MAWG). Russ strongly believes that Arkansas is a great place to live and do business, and his foremost concentration is bringing new insurers to the state, including re-domestications and captives.

Prior to joining the Department, Russ served as the Senior Government and Industry Affairs Manager for Farmers Insurance for 17 years, acting as the primary legislative and regulatory liaison for Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He previously served as President of the Arkansas Adjusters Association and sat on numerous industry boards, including the Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana Automobile Insurance Plans, the Governor’s Earthquake Taskforce, the Arkansas State Disaster Coalition, the Arkansas Rural Risk Underwriting Association, and the Arkansas Insurance Industry Coalition.

Russ earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lyon College.