History of Insurance Institute of Kentucky
In 1995, representatives from numerous property and casualty insurers gathered to discuss how they might collectively have a more visible and effective presence with the Kentucky General Assembly and with state insurance regulators. Following several meetings by members of the planning group, organizational by-laws were drafted, and the new organization to be known as “The Insurance Institute of Kentucky” was registered as a non profit organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State on September 12, 1996.
Membership in the IIK was open to any insurer doing business in Kentucky, as well as national and state insurance trade associations, individuals such as Agents or lawyers, and groups, such as agencies and law firms.
In 1997, Carl Sumner was named as the first President (later Executive Director) of IIK. After many years of excellent service, he retired at the end of 2006. He was replaced by the current Executive Director Mark Treesh, who began with IIK in September 2006.
In the fall of 2013 IIK expanded its scope to also include life insurance topics in addition to property and casualty insurance. IIK continues to represent the interests of its members and insurance consumers before the Kentucky General Assembly and the Kentucky Department of Insurance.
Meet Our Executive Director
Mark A. Treesh became Executive Director of the Insurance Institute of Kentucky (IIK) on Sept. 5, 2006. Before joining IIK, Mr. Treesh was the Kentucky Commissioner of Revenue, post he held for two years after being appointed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher in 2004.
Mr. Treesh served five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives (1993-2002), representing Daviess, Hancock and Ohio counties. As a state representative, Mr. Treesh served on the Appropriations and Revenue, Banking and Insurance, Education and Agriculture and Small Business Committees in addition to being on special subcommittees on each tax reform and education.
Prior to being Revenue Commissioner, Mr. Treesh served as legislative liaison for the Finance Cabinet during the 2004 legislative session. He also was director of government relations for ResCare, Inc., representing their interests in Texas, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio. Mr. Treesh also has been a licensed insurance agent and claims adjuster, and was co-owner of an insurance agency.
Mr. Treesh holds both CPA and CMA certifications and is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants. During his accounting career, he has been a practicing CPA in Owensboro, KY and Lafayette, IN, as well as an accounting educator and corporate controller.