Texas Gov. Rick Perry has nominated Mike Geeslin, his former budget advisor who now serves as deputy insurance commissioner, to assume the top post at that department.
Mr. Geeslin will fill the vacancy created when Commissioner Jose Montemayor declined to serve a fourth term. Mr. Montemayor left the post May 31 to work as an investment advisor after six years as the state's top insurance regulator.
The new appointee will assume the post immediately while awaiting Senate confirmation.
Prior to joining the agency in 2003, Mr. Geeslin served as budget and policy adviser to the Republican governor.
Among his major new responsibilities will be overseeing the workers' compensation system, following passage of major reforms that put that program in the Texas Department of Insurance.
"As insurance commissioner he will play an important role in overseeing major reforms to our workers' compensation system," Mr. Perry said. "His expertise in insurance matters and management skills will serve Texans well in this important new role."
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