Malloy’s insurance commissioner plans to depart

Dec. 14--Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade is leaving her job next week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office announced Friday.

Paul Lombardo, who has worked in the insurance department for 21 years and is currently director of the Life and Health Division, will take over as acting commissioner. Wade's last day is Wednesday.

"As home to the 'Insurance Capitol of the World,' Connecticut needs a world-class insurance regulatory agency. And under Commissioner Katie Wade's leadership, that's just what we have," Malloy said in a written statement. "Building upon our existing assets, she strengthened consumer protection creating better network standards for health insurance, expanding choice in the marketplace, and increasing consumer education and outreach. Her endeavors and accomplishments helped to solidify the state's standing as an important voice regarding insurance regulatory matters on the national and international stage. And during her tenure, Katie championed Connecticut as a center of excellence for innovation and InsurTech highlighting the state's deep pool of insurance industry and tech talent. For all that she accomplished and for her personal commitment and integrity for putting the interest of the consumer first, I thank Katie for her honorable service. I'm proud to call her not only my colleague, but my friend."

Malloy declined to seek re-election to a third term in November and will be replaced in January by Gov.-elect Ned Lamont. Several of Malloy's commissioners have already departed, including the heads of the tax department and state police.

Wade was tapped by Malloy for the insurance department job in 2015 after working for more than two decades at Bloomfield-based Cigna Corp.

___

(c)2018 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.