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Florida largest property insurer named a state regulator and former state lawmaker as its interim president.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. announced yesterday that it has hired Tom Grady to take over as president and CEO, replacing Scott Wallace who announced in January his plan to step down after six years leading the insurer.

Last year, Grady was named commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation, which regulates banking, finance and securities industries. He has been in charge of streamlining the office’s operations. Among other things, he has called for a $4 million reduction in the office’s current $37 million budget.

In 2008, Grady was elected as a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives where he served one two-year term. He was vice chair of the Insurance, Business and Financial Affairs Committee. He also was a member of the Economic Development Policy Committee and the Finance and Tax Council.

As interim president, Grady will have the opportunity to apply for the permanent position of head of Citizens.

Companion Property & Casualty Insurance Group of Columbia, S.C., has named Robert C. Rhodes vice president and chief operating officer.

Rhodes will be responsible for claims operations, third-party administrative services, premium audit and information systems at Companion, a multiline, insurance company licensed in 49 states.

Rhodes, an attorney, has worked in the insurance industry since 2001. Prior to joining Companion, he served for four years as chief operating officer and executive vice president of TCC of South Carolina, a third-party administrator of health benefits. Previously, Rhodes worked as a deputy general counsel for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Companion Property & Casualty Group includes Companion Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Companion Commercial Insurance Co. and Companion Specialty Insurance Co., all of Columbia, S.C.; AmFed National Insurance Co. and AmFed Casualty Insurance Co. of Ridgeland, Miss.; and several other companies. The company offers workers’ compensation, commercial auto, commercial property and commercial liability, third-party administration services, and insurance for residential condominiums.

Wells Fargo Insurance announced a new regional structure for its insurance brokerage and consulting division. Previously operating with 15 regional offices, the business is now based upon seven regions, with approximately 160 local offices. The group is led by Kevin Kenny, executive vice president with Wells Fargo Insurance.

“This new structure more strategically connects our offices within each market and across the U.S. and better aligns the insurance division with other Wells Fargo business units,” said Kenny.

Mid-Atlantic Region will be led by John Meehan, and will include District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

South Region will be led by Tom Longhta, and will include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Northwest Region will be led by Rich Lane, and will include Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Southwest Region will be led by Howard McClure, and will include Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

West Region will be led by Sam Elliott, and will include Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Southern/Central California, and Utah.

Midwest Region will be led by John Meder, and will include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Northeast Region will be led by Pete Gilbertson, and will include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.