On the same day that Eleanor Kitzman exited her post as state insurance commissioner, Texas Gov. Rick Perry appointed Julia Rathgeber of Austin to take over leadership at the Texas Department of Insurance.
Rathgeber’s term expires Feb. 1, 2015.
Kitzman, appointed in between regular sessions of the legislature, was never confirmed by the Senate, so her term as commissioner ended as lawmakers wrapped up the 2013 regular session on May 27.
Rathgeber previously was deputy chief of staff in the Office of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. She is a past director of research for the Texas General Land Office, and a past 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 the Seton Fund Development Board, and a member of and is a volunteer for The Settlement Club and The Settlement Home for Children.
Rathgeber received a bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
“Governor Perry could not have picked a better individual than Julia Rathgeber to lead the Texas Department of Insurance,” said Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in a statement released by his office. “TDI’s gain is my team’s loss, but we are confident that she will fully justify the governor’s confidence in her abilities as a leader. Julia leaves my office with my respect, deep friendship, and appreciation for a job very well done.”
During the recent regular legislative session, Democrats questioned Kitzman’s leadership and her past ties to the insurance industry, according to the Austin American-Statesman. She was criticized for, among other things, spending $1.5 million on consultants to study ways to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and for not doing enough to protect consumers.
An Associated Press report quoted Republican Sen. Bob Deuell of Greenville, as suggesting that Kitzman “has ignored a lot of rules.”
Deuell added that he didn’t think the votes were there to confirm her.
A confirmation hearing for Kitzman was never brought to the floor during the session ended May 27.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times reported that Rathgeber will retain oversight of TWIA, which has been under the supervision of the Texas Department of Insurance since early 2011.
Topics Texas
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