Gov. Gary Herbert appointed Tanji Northrup as the Utah Insurance Department’s interim commissioner on Wednesday.

The appointment was made following the retirement of Commissioner Todd E. Kiser, a former state lawmaker and insurance executive who served in the post since 2012.

Northrup has held various leadership positions in the department for the past 12 years, including as Kiser’s deputy commissioner, and had a major role in implementing state and federal health care insurance reform. She also assisted in the development of Utah’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchange, which provides a tax credit for small companies that contribute to their employees' health premiums.

“Tanji has offered valuable advice to my office on insurance matters as deputy commissioner,” Herbert said in a news release. “Her expertise will be valuable in her new role, and I anticipate that the Insurance Department will continue to excel under her leadership.”