U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson has beentapped to lead the Property Casualty Insurers Association ofAmerica as president and chief executive officer. He will continuein his present role through August, and join PCI on Sept. 4.

Interim CEO June Holmes will return to her previous job as chiefoperating officer. She had replaced Ernst Csiszar, the former SouthCarolina regulator and president of the National Association ofInsurance Commissioners, who left abruptly last September as PCIfaced divisions over what role the federal government should playin bolstering insurers after a catastrophe.

PCI Chairman Thomas Tierney said Mr. Sampson's "uniquecombination of political acumen, personal integrity and managementexperience made him the right person to lead PCI."

Mr. Sampson, deputy secretary since July 2005, "has theknowledge, relationships with political leaders at both the stateand federal levels, and financial management skills that will makePCI a more effective advocate and a more efficient organization..."Mr. Tierney added.