Jim Beck, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, has announced his appointments to key positions within his leadership team at the Agency. Josh McKoon will join the Department as Interim Chief of Staff, Jeff Hogan will serve as State Fire Marshal, and Drew Lane will fill the role of Chief Deputy Commissioner on an interim basis.

Beck stated that, “I am excited to announce these key leadership positions as we prepare to begin the important work ahead. As an attorney, legislator, and small business owner, Josh brings a wealth of experience that will be helpful in serving the Department as our first Chief of Staff.” In regards to his appointment of Jeff Hogan to be the next State Fire Marshal, Beck had this to say, “One of the most important decisions I had to make was who would succeed the current State Fire Marshal who is retiring in February after a long and distinguished career with the office. After much thought and consideration, I chose current John’s Creek Fire Chief Jeff Hogan who has agreed to step away from his post with the City and accept my appointment to the position. I believe having someone of his experience on the front lines of the fire service will be invaluable in fulfilling the vital mission of the State Fire Marshal.” Beck also announced the appointment of Drew Lane to Chief Deputy Commissioner. “As a former prosecutor and leader of the Department of Insurance’s Fraud Unit, Drew Lane has the right skill set to begin leading the operations of the Department day one.”

Since graduating law school from the University of Alabama in 2003, Josh McKoon has been in private practice in Columbus and is principal attorney for the McKoon Law Group. In addition to his management experience in the private sector, he just completed his fourth term as Georgia State Senator from Columbus. For four years, he served as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In this role, he was responsible for managing one of the busiest committees of the General Assembly, including attorneys, research staff, coordination of hearings and other proceedings.

“I look forward to this great opportunity to serve as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner,” said Josh McKoon. “As today’s announcement indicates, the Commissioner has thoughtfully chosen talented people to assist him in achieving his vision for the Department of Insurance and I am humbled and honored to be a part of it.”

Fire Chief Jeff Hogan began his career in the fire service more than 35 years ago. After decades of service to the Fulton County Fire Department, Jeff was asked to join the newly formed John’s Creek Fire Department in 2008, becoming the city’s fire chief in February 2011. He was designated in 2011 a Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing and is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. In his new role as State Fire Marshal of Georgia, Hogan will manage all responsibilities of the Fire Marshal’s Office and oversee building inspection, manufactured housing inspection, engineering, hazardous materials inspections, and licensing.

“After a lifetime in fire service, I am excited to have this historic opportunity to work with the Commissioner to improve our efforts in this field. As someone who has been in the trenches with firefighters for almost four decades, I look forward to drawing on the experience of my fellow firefighters as we look to make Georgia’s fire service the best in the nation,” said Jeff Hogan.

Drew Lane earned his law degree at Walter F. George School of Law of Mercer University in Macon. While in private practice in Dallas, Georgia, he was elected to the City Council where he served in that capacity until his appointment by Governor Sonny Perdue to fill an unexpired term as District Attorney for the Paulding Judicial Circuit. He was then elected to and served a full term as District Attorney. After leaving the District Attorney’s office, he served as Director of the Fraud Investigation Unit at the Georgia Department of Insurance. Most recently, Lane served as Staff Counsel for the Georgia Underwriting Association.

“I have had the honor and privilege of knowing the Commissioner for over 35 years and am excited to continue our professional relationship at the Department of Insurance. I share Jim’s day one commitment to protect Georgia families and look forward to making the Department of Insurance more consumer friendly,” said Drew Lane.