Earlier this week, Jeff Atwater, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), announced several high-level appointments at the Florida Department of Financial Services (the “Department”), including the appointment of an Inspector General and new directors for the Divisions of Treasury, Consumer Services, and Agent and Agency Services.
In announcing the new leaders, CFO Atwater stated, “I am pleased that these accomplished professionals have agreed to take on the challenges of their new roles and help us protect Florida’s assets, advocate for consumers and reduce regulatory burdens on businesses.”
CFO Atwater appointed Ned Luczynski as the Department’s new Inspector General. Prior to the appointment, Mr. Luczynski served as the Inspector General of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and before the position of Inspector General, he served as General Counsel of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Prior to working for the state government, Mr. Luczynski worked in the private sector as managing director of businesses operations for MESA Solutions/Telcordia Technologies and as a senior manager for Deloitte & Touche.
Bert Wilkerson was appointed to the position of Director of the Department’s Division of Treasury. Mr. Wilkerson most recently served as the Bureau Chief of Funds Management and as Interim Director of the Department’s Division of Treasury. Mr. Wilkerson worked at the Florida Department of Transportation for ten years as a manager in the Comptroller’s Office and as an auditor for the Florida State Auditor General’s Office for four years prior to joining the Department.
Tasha Carter will serve as Director of the Department’s Division of Consumer Services. Ms. Carter previously served as the Bureau Chief of Compliance for the Department’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. Before joining the Department, she worked at the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in customer service and management analyst positions.
CFO Atwater also appointed Gregory Thomas as the Director of the Department’s Division of Agent and Agency Services. Mr. Thomas most recently served as the Bureau Chief of Education, Advocacy and Research in the Department’s Division of Consumer Services. He has extensive experience in the insurance industry and holds six professional designations in insurance, including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Chartered Life Underwriter.
In addition to these changes at the Department, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“FOIR”) made changes in leadership roles. Belinda Miller, formerly Deputy Insurance Commissioner overseeing the property and casualty area, has been named acting General Counsel. She moves into this position following the retirement of former General Counsel Steve Parton.
Robin Westcott has been named acting Deputy Insurance Commissioner taking Ms. Miller’s position. Ms. Westcott most recently served as Director of the FOIR’s Property & Casualty Financial Oversight Unit and will continue to supervise that area in a dual capacity.
************************************************************************
A. Kenneth Levine is a Partner at the West Palm Beach Office. Levine is a member of the Insurance Reinsurance Department at EAPD and provides corporate and regulatory counsel to a range of clients, including insurance companies. Prior to joining EAPD, Mr. Levine served as senior counsel and agency hearing officer in the office of chief of staff of the Florida Department of Insurance and Treasury (now the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and the Florida Department of Financial Services) in Tallahassee.
