NU Online News Service, June 13, 3:01 p.m.EDT

Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has chosen the chiefexecutive of a managing general agent that specializes in Alaskacommercial coverage to be the next head of the state-runinsurer.

Barry Gilway, CEO of MatteiInsurance Services, was unanimously selected by the Citizensboard to become president and CEO of the Sunshine State's topprovider of property insurance.

Tom Grady, former Florida Representative and commissioner of theFlorida Office of Financial Regulation, was named interim president in March but he reportedly did not make theshort list of final candidates, which included CaliforniaEarthquake Authority CEO Glenn Pomeroy.

Pomeroy is also a former North Dakota insurance commissionerand former president of the National Association of InsuranceCommissioners.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation released thefollowing statement on Gilway's appointment: “Mr. Gilway'sexecutive experience combined with his understanding of the privatemarketplace will be essential for leading Citizens in its goal ofidentifying competitive market segments, continuing the redesign ofCitizens' policies, and ultimately reducing Citizens' exposure. TheOffice extends its warmest congratulations to Mr. Gilway on his newposition, and we look forward to working with him in thefuture.”

The statement says Gilway has private sector experience withSeattle-based Mattei Insurance Services, Zurich North American, andMaryland Casualty Group.

Grady replaced Scott Wallace, who announced his resignation for personal reasons at the start ofthe year after six years at the helm of what has become the state'slargest writer of property insurance.

Wallace was then named president of the property and casualty division atHomeowners Choice Inc. in March.