AIA WELCOMES NEW ARIZ. DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE:

The American Insurance Association (AIA) welcomed Christina Urias to the Arizona Department of Insurance. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) announced the appointment of the department’s new director on Oct. 16. “AIA and its member companies congratulate Ms. Urias on her appointment as Arizona’s new insurance commissioner,” said Bill Gausewitz, assistant vice president, Western region. “We look forward to working with the new commissioner and her team to foster a competitive insurance market that makes quality insurance products available to Arizona consumers and businesses.” The insurance industry provides jobs to more than 34,000 Arizona residents, who earn a combined income of more than $1.6 billion. The most recent investment and tax data shows that insurance companies operating in Arizona paid more than $1.8 billion in premium taxes in 2001 and hold more than $3.9 billion in Arizona municipal bonds.