New Year Brings Key Personnel Changes
The new year will bring personnel changes at key insurance-related organizations in Florida. Perhaps most notably, Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier stepped down effective December 28, 2022. Commissioner Altmaier first joined the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in 2008. He held several roles within the property and casualty financial oversight area, including Chief Analyst. He then served as Deputy Commissioner of Property and Casualty Insurance before eventually succeeding Kevin McCarty as Insurance Commissioner. Commissioner Altmaier was President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2021.
In his resignation letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Cabinet, Altmaier wrote, “Under your leadership we have worked with the Florida Legislature to meet historic challenges with historic reforms, we have come together to respond to catastrophes, and we’ve implemented rules and regulations that have safe guarded Florida’s insurance consumers while keeping our insurance markets viable. I am so proud of the work the Office has been able to accomplish during my tenure. I remain committed throughout the remainder of my tenure – and after – to continue the momentum we have established to make Florida the best place in the union to live, work, and prosper.”
As is typically the case, Florida’s next insurance commissioner will have the opportunity to select his or her deputy commissioners for property and casualty insurance and for life a and health insurance. Susanne Murphy, formerly the deputy for property and casualty insurance, and John Reilly, formerly the head of life and health, have chosen to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation also will be under new leadership in 2023. Barry Gilway announced in December that he will be retiring as president and chief executive officer. Gilway’s resignation caps a 10-year run as Citizens’ president and chief executive officer. Gilway often has offered plain-spoken assessments of the state of Florida’s insurance market as Citizens’ policy count has grown in recent years. After the recent special legislative session, Gilway expressed optimism that new laws will curb the abuses he has discussed so frequently. “This is historic legislation that addresses so many critical issues that have plagued the Florida market for many years,” Gilway said.
The Citizens Board of Governors named Tim Cerio, Citizens’ general counsel, to serve as interim president and CEO.