Texas Insurance Commissioner Named to Governor-Elect’s Staff

Julia Rathgeber has been leading the Texas Department of Insurance for about a year and a half. She was picked by Gov. Rick Perry to succeed former Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman, who resigned at the end of May 2013.

Prior to her commissioner post, Rathgeber served as deputy chief of staff in the Office of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. She also has served as director of research for the Texas General Land Office, and director of the strategic assessment division for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and received a bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Rathgeber will resign her current position effective Jan. 20, according to the announcement naming Abbott’s picks for staff members in the governor’s office.