Gov. Perry Will Appoint Kitzman as Commissioner of Insurance

Gov. Rick Perry will appoint Eleanor Kitzman of Austin as State Commissioner of Insurance, effective August 15, 2011, for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013. The commissioner oversees the Texas Department of Insurance, which regulates the insurance industry and provides information and assistance to insurance consumers.

"I'm confident that Eleanor's expertise in the insurance industry will make her a strong advocate for insurance customers in Texas, and I appreciate her willingness to serve the state in this capacity," Gov. Perry said. "I'm thankful for Mike Geeslin's service as insurance commissioner over the past several years, where he worked to protect Texans by ensuring that insurance is available and provided at fair rates, and look forward to continuing this strong leadership at TDI with Eleanor's appointment."

Kitzman is the outgoing executive director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, and is past director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. She is also a former clerk for the Texas Supreme Court, and a past associate at Akin, Gump, Strauss and Feld. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and South Carolina Bar Association.

Kitzman received a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.