Ohio's governor said the state will get its first openly gayinsurance director with the appointment of Mary Jo Hudson.

In addition to Ms. Hudson, governors in Idaho and Missouri namedchief insurance regulators for their states this week.

Ms. Hudson is believed to be the first openly gay person to jointhe top rank of the National Association of Insurance Commissionersleadership.

Ms. Hudson was appointed by newly elected Democratic Gov. TedStrickland. She is a Columbus City Council member who served from1989 to 1996, as a deputy liquidator and special services attorneyfor the Ohio Department of Insurance and Office of the OhioInsurance Liquidator.

Missouri Republican Gov. Matt Blunt announced that Doug Ommenwill serve as director of the Department of Insurance, FinancialInstitutions and Professional Registration, replacing Dale Finke,who recently retired.

Mr. Ommen is currently deputy director for the department andgeneral counsel, and will move up officially after Senateconfirmation.

In Idaho, Republican Gov. Butch Otter named Rep. Bill Deal,R-Nampa, as the new insurance commissioner.

Mr. Deal is a past president of the Idaho Independent InsuranceAgents Association and owns and operates an agency in Nampa.