Conn. Gov. Rell to Replace Cogswell as State’s Insurance Commissioner

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has accepted the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Susan Cogswell and said she will name a replacement within the next few weeks.

Cogswell is not leaving the department, however. She has accepted the position of deputy insurance commissioner and will focus her energies on health care access and affordability issues.

Cogswell’s was one of six state agency commissioners’ resignations Rell accepted. The others included Commissioner James Abromaitis of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Commissioner (Acting) William Ramirez of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“I thank these commissioners for their years of service and for their commitment to the people of Connecticut,” said Rell. “They have served their state well and I fully understand their desires to pursue other opportunities.”

Cogswell, a Torrington resident, was appointed by former Gov. John Rowland in June 2000 to be insurance commissioner. She was the state’s first female commissioner.

Prior to becoming commissioner, Cogswell served for nine years as a Republican Torrington city councilman while also working as the Connecticut Insurance Department’s chief of staff. Cogswell has also held management positions in both insurance and banking, including with Travelers Indemnity Company and Chase Manhattan Bank.

During her tenure she has overseen and approved a number of industry transactions including the merger of Travelers Property Casualty Corp. with The St. Paul Companies and Prudential’s acquisition of CIGNA Life Insurance Co. In November, 2000, she approved the sale of Aetna Life Insurance Co. to Ing Groep, N.V.

Just this month she reversed direction and issued a new department policy restricting insurers in requiring certain storm mitigation steps on coastal properties.

Rell kept Cogswell in the post in July, 2004 when she was sworn in to succeed her three-time Republican running mate, former Gov. Rowland, who resigned amid a corruption investigation.

“A new term in office brings new beginnings, new ideas and a renewed passion to serve. The next four years will be filled with a great many challenges. I now turn my attention to assembling a new leadership team to work with me as we meet our challenges and chart a new course,” Rell said.

Source: Gov. Rell’s Office