Ken Ross, Commissioner of the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation, announced that he will be stepping down from his position effective April 15.  Ross was appointed as commissioner in February 2008 by then-Governor Jennifer Granholm.  Ross was hailed as the first person with a credit union background to be appointed as commissioner.  Since his appointment he oversaw the passage of the re-codified Michigan Uniform Securities Act that gives increased penalties against the perpetrators of securities fraud.  Ross has also worked successfully on a legislative package that protects Michigan consumers from mortgage fraud by requiring the registration of mortgage loan officers.  In addition, Ross brokered the creation of a Michigan high-risk insurance pool and has also taken action against several high-profile Ponzi schemes.  Ross has not yet announced any future plans.  The position will continue under Governor Rick Snyder’s administration.  A time in which Snyder will appoint a new commissioner has yet to be established.