West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Cline to Retire

West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane L. Cline will retire after 10 years on the job.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said Cline’s retirement will become effective June 30, 2011 and that he will name a replacement in the future.

“I have been fortunate to have worked in state government for 30 years,” Cline said. “I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

Appointed insurance commissioner in 2001 by then-Gov. Bob Wise, Cline has been responsible for regulating the insurance market. Under her leadership, Cline’s staff privatized the workers’ compensation system, addressed insurance related reforms, such as medical malpractice, and created AccessWV, a state run high-risk health insurance pool to address the needs of qualifying low-income residents.

Tomblin said Cline has dealt with a number of difficult issues during her time as commissioner. “She deserves high praise, gratitude and accolades for her long and dedicated service to the people of West Virginia,” he said.

In addition to her duties as state insurance commissioner, Cline previously has served as president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as on the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission.

Before her appointment as insurance commissioner, Cline operated a government consulting firm, Jane L. Cline & Associates. She served as commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles from November 1989 to October 1997.

Topics Virginia West Virginia