Homesteaders Life Co. president, CEO and board chair Steve Shaffer announced that Nick Gerhart has been appointed the company’s chief operating officer. In his new role, Gerhart will direct Homesteaders’ long-term strategic growth and innovation. Before the promotion, Gerhart served as executive vice president and chief innovation officer for four years. Prior to joining Homesteaders, Gerhart served as chief administrative officer at FBL Financial and commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division. “With his unparalleled knowledge of insurance operations, he [Gerhart] has the ideal skill set to assume this role,” Shaffer said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to how Nick will move our company forward in his role as COO and help us continue to grow as a leading partner to funeral professionals.”