South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley today named Ray Farmer asdirector of the state's insurance department. Farmer is a long-timeexecutive with the American Insurance Association.

“Ray has worked in South Carolina, as well as other southeasternstates for many years,” says Liz Reynolds, Southeast state affairsmanager for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companiesin a statement. “He will bring a thorough knowledge of the industryand already-established relationships with company leaders thatwill be extremely valuable to the state.”

Farmer replaces David Black, who resigned nearly a year ago.Since that time, Deputy Director and General Counsel GwenFuller-McGriff has been juggling interim commissionerresponsibilities along with her original duties.

The governor's office confirmed the appointment.

The Associated Press says Farmer will take over as director onDec. 4.

In a statement from the governor's office, Gov. Haley says,“What excites me most is he knows policy. He knows what works inother states, and he knows what doesn't. He knows what businessesare looking for: what earns them a good profit margin, but yetstill ensures they deliver good customer service.”

Farmer says, “The more competitors you have that have a presencein this state brings more jobs to our citizens. Currently, theinsurance industry employs in excess of 38,000 people in thisstate. We look to grow that number.”

Leign Ann Pusey, AIA's president and CEO says, “It is alwaysincredibly gratifying when one of AIA's valued colleagues is soprominently recognized for the professional expertise. Ray has beenplanning to retire from AIA at year's end and we are very pleasedthat he will be undertaking this new and important role in the nextchapter of his career.”

Farmer is currently the vice president of the Southeast regionfor the AIA and has more than 40 years experience in the insuranceindustry. He has worked at the Georgia Insurance Department asdeputy insurance commissioner of the enforcement division. He alsoserved for over 30 years on the board of the Georgia Arson ControlProgram.

Update at 5:15 p.m. with additional comments andbiographical information.