South Carolina Names Insurance Lobbyist Farmer as Insurance Chief

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has named Ray Farmer as the state’s new insurance regulator. Farmer is a lobbyist with the property/casualty insurance trade group, the American Insurance Association.

Farmer replaces David Black, who resigned nearly a year ago after less than a year on the job. Black, former president of Liberty Life, gave no reason for leaving. Since that time, Deputy Director and General Counsel Gwen Fuller-McGriff has been serving as interim commissioner.

For the past 32 years, Farmer has worked in AIA’s Southeast region office, most recently serving as vice president for state affairs. He has more than 40 years of insurance experience.

Leigh Ann Pusey, president and CEO of the AIA, said Farmer had been planning on retiring at the end of the year.

“Ray brings a wealth of insurance, regulatory and legislative knowledge that will help South Carolina promote a competitive and robust insurance marketplace to the benefit of consumers and insurers alike,” Pusey said. “It is always incredibly gratifying when one of AIA’s valued colleagues is so prominently recognized for their professional expertise.”

Farmer will leave the AIA to officially become director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance starting Dec. 3.