CFO Names New Insurance Consumer Advocate
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has named Sha’Ron James as the state’s Insurance Consumer Advocate effective August 3. Ms. James most recently has been the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation within the Department of Financial Services. “Sha’Ron’s experience holding insurance companies accountable and her in-depth understanding of the insurance industry raises the bar for Florida’s advocacy efforts,” said CFO Atwater. “Sha’Ron has fought to ensure that the interests of consumers come before profit and special interests, and I am confident she will carry her passion for the people of Florida into this role.”
Ms. James received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida A&M University, her master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University, and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. She also holds an advance project management certificate from Stanford University. She succeeds Steve Burgess as the Insurance Consumer Advocate after Mr. Burgess recently retired.
Toma Wilkerson, who currently serves as Assistant Director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation, will take over as Director when Ms. James assumes the Insurance Consumer Advocate role. Prior to joining the Department of Financial Services, Ms. Wilkerson led the Office of Insurance Regulation’s life and health financial oversight section.