On December 16, 2009, the Maryland Insurance Administration (“MIA”) issued a media advisory announcing that Ralph S. Tyler will step down as Commissioner of the MIA effective January 8, 2010. Tyler, who has been Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner since 2007, has accepted the position as Chief Counsel with the Federal Food and Drug Administration. Prior to his position as insurance commissioner, Tyler was chief counsel to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. He also served as the Baltimore City Solicitor when Governor O’Malley was the Mayor of Baltimore. No announcement has been made yet regarding who will replace Tyler as Commissioner of the MIA.