Leaders of Departments of Insurance in Texas, Ohio Leave Positions
January 11, 2011
The insurance industry will have new regulators in Texas and Ohio as insurance commissioners in both states announced they are vacating their positions.
Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin announced that he will not seek another term as head of the Texas Department of Insurance. His term ends Feb. 1, 2011. Meanwhile, Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson announced her resignation effective Jan. 10.
Geeslin has been with TDI for eight years, and has served as commissioner for five and a half years. Gov. Rick Perry appointed Geeslin to the post in June 2005, just months before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Texas and Louisiana coasts in August and September of that year.
“We appreciate Commissioner Geeslin’s service to the state of Texas and we look forward to our continued relationship with the Texas Department of Insurance and the new commissioner,” said Leslie Midgley, executive vice president and CEO of the Texas Land Title Association.
In a letter to the Gov. Perry, Geeslin said his decision to leave the post was based on many considerations; the foremost being family, and another, a "simple realization that it is time for someone else to lead."
In Ohio, Hudson’s departure was expected as John Kasich defeated incumbent Gov. Ted Strickland in the November 2010 gubernatorial election. In one of his first official acts after being sworn-in, Gov. Kasich appointed Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor to be director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
“Director Hudson was very knowledgeable about the title industry, fair-minded and wonderful to work with during the past four years,” said Mark Bennett, executive director of the Ohio Land Title Association. “We wish her the best in her new endeavors. OLTA looks forward to working with Director Taylor as she transitions into her new role.”
Hudson was appointed as the state’s 46th insurance director by Strickland in January 2007.
“I am proud of the many changes that we have implemented over the past four years that effectively protected Ohio insurance consumers while encouraging the state’s growth as a vibrant and competitive insurance market,” Hudson said.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].