Best’s News & Research Service - July 29, 2015 02:54 PM (EDT)
Former Florida Rehabilitation Director Tabbed as State's New Insurance Consumer Advocate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. //BestWire// - Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has appointed Sha'Ron James to be the state's Insurance Consumer Advocate beginning Aug. 3.
James most recently served as the Department of Financial Services' director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation.
James succeeds the recently retired Steve Burgess as Insurance Consumer Advocate. Burgess was in the Insurance Consumer Advocate's post for the third time, having last been appointed to the job by Atwater in 2013 (Best's News Service, Nov. 6, 2013).
Toma Wilkerson, the assistant director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation, has been named director to fill James' former post.
As insurance consumer advocate, James will be tasked with the job of independently representing policyholders when insurance decisions are made. "James enters the role with a history highlighted by years of dedication advocating for Floridians on insurance-related matters," the announcement from the CFO's office said.
James "demands the highest levels of integrity, transparency and communication when help consumers navigate the insurance process. In the midst of an ever-evolving insurance market, James is committed to finding solutions to the insurance problems facing Floridians, calling attention to questionable insurance practices and ensuring that the market responds to the needs of Florida's diverse population," the announcement said.
(By Thomas Harman, Washington Bureau manager, BestWeek: Tom.Harman@ambest.com)