The Florida Insurance Council's (FIC) executive board hasselected Cecil Pearce as the trade association's new president. Hesucceeds Guy Marvin, who announced his retirement earlier thissummer.

“The Florida Insurance Council is pleased to welcome CecilPearce as our next president,” said FIC Chair Harry Spring. “Thoseof us in Tallahassee consider Cecil to be among the most effectiveadvocates on insurance-related legislative and regulatory issues.His background and leadership will serve our members well in theyears ahead.”

Pearce joins FIC from the American Insurance Association (AIA)Atlanta office, where he served as vice president for the SoutheastRegion. Much of his work for AIA has been focused on legislativeand regulatory issues here in Florida.

“I am looking forward to leading the council and returning toFlorida,” said Pearce. “So much of my work and time has been spentin Florida that in many ways I feel as though this is home. Ofcourse, promoting a healthy insurance market in Florida will not beaccomplished without encountering a host of challenges, but that isprecisely why I took the job.”

This will be Pearce's second tenure as FIC chief operatingofficer. He was FIC's president from 1996 to 2002.

His prior professional experience includes serving as thedirector of a program to depopulate the Florida Residential JointUnderwriting Association under former Insurance Commissioner BillNelson, and as vice president of the Florida Association ofInsurance Agents. He also has held positions with the IndependentInsurance Agents of America in Washington, D.C., and the IllinoisIndependent Insurance Agents. He currently serves on the boards ofdirectors for the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and AssociatedIndustries of Florida, where he chairs the association's financialsecurities council.

FIC is the largest insurance trade association in the state ofFlorida, representing some 200 insurers and insurer groups thatwrite more than $19 billion in premium volume in Florida.