I usually don’t cut and paste press releases in their entirety and offer them to our blog readers. However, I have to make an exception this time. My good friend, Sha’Ron James, was recently appointed as Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate. I worked with Sha’Ron in multiple capacities. We worked together in private practice for a Tallahassee law firm before we both moved on to the Department of Financial Services. I can not think of a better person to stand up for the interests of the insurance consumers of this state. Sha’Ron is the real deal – smart, compassionate, and hard-working. Being the Insurance Consumer Advocate is a hard job, but I know she is up for it. I am excited for the future. Congratulations Sha’Ron! CFO Jeff Atwater is also to be commended for making such a wonderful appointment. The press release announcing her appointment is set forth below.
CFO Jeff Atwater Appoints Sha’Ron James as Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate
7/28/2015
Contact: Ashley Carr
(850) 413 – 2842
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the appointment of Sha’Ron James, a long-time voice for the people of Florida, as the state’s Insurance Consumer Advocate effective August 3. The role of Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate is to independently and ardently represent the needs of policyholders when insurance decisions are made. James enters the role with a history highlighted by years of dedication advocating for Floridians on insurance-related matters.
“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.”
A Tallahassee resident, James most recently served as the Director of the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation, which oversees complex litigation proceedings if a Florida insurance company faces financial failure. In this role, James fervently represented Florida’s families, recognizing that consumers, far more than company board members or directors, are most impacted by the collapse of a carrier’s ability to provide coverage.
When an insurance company enters rehabilitation or liquidation, consumers are often left vulnerable, scrambling to find replacement insurance coverage and wondering if they should expect unaffordable bills due to unpaid claims. Whether it’s navigating property coverage to protect a home, life insurance to protect a family’s lasting legacy, or health coverage to ensure loved ones receive necessary medicines or medical attention, James has guided thousands of Florida policyholders through these complicated and trying experiences.
Knowing that Florida families rely on quality insurance products, James demands the highest levels of integrity, transparency and communication when helping consumers navigate the insurance process. In the midst of an ever-evolving insurance market, James is committed to finding solutions to the insurance problems facing Floridians, calling attention to questionable insurance practices, and ensuring that the market responds to the needs of Florida’s diverse population.
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 holds an advance project management certificate from Stanford University, and carries an extensive list of professional awards and accomplishments. James replaces the recently retired Steve Burgess in the ICA role. Toma Wilkerson, who currently serves as Assistant Director of the Division of Rehabilitation & Liquidation, has been named Director.
