The American Insurance Association (“AIA”) has named Jeremy Merz as vice president of state affairs for the Western region.
Most recently, Mr. Merz was a lobbyist for the California Chamber of Commerce. During his five years there, Mr. Merz represented over 14,000 member companies on workers' compensation, taxation, privacy, transportation, and infrastructure issues.
“We're excited to have Jeremy join our state affairs team. His advocacy experience at the California Chamber and extensive legal knowledge on issues crucial to our industry will be a great asset for AIA's members,” said the AIA's president and chief executive officer, Leigh Ann Pusey.
“His background in workers' compensation as a claims case manager and navigating state and federal policy as a private attorney make Jeremy a great fit for our membership. He'll be a wonderful addition to our California office, working with Katie Pettibone, as AIA strives to achieve sound public policy outcomes, while laying the ground for future initiatives,” added the AIA's senior vice president for state affairs, Joe DiGiovanni.
“I'm thrilled to be joining AIA and working with its diverse membership to achieve their public policy goals,” said Mr. Merz. “With many legislatures about to convene their 2017 session, I look forward to representing the nation's leading property-casualty trade association and working with policymakers to promote an efficient regulatory system that benefits insurers and their policyholders.”
Prior to joining the California Chamber, Mr. Merz was an associate with Sacramento's largest law firm, Downey Brand, LLP, where he represented private defendants in state and federal courts on business litigation and employment law issues.
Previously, Mr. Merz served as a judicial extern to District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
Mr. Merz received a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Davis, and a J.D. with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the school's law review.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].