FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the appointment of Ohio Rep. Jim Raussen as the State's new Director of Insurance and Financial Development, effective Aug. 18. This new position is responsible for creating and implementing policy for growing and strengthening Ohio insurance companies and financial institutions.

"With Ohio's insurance industry growth outpacing the industry's national growth, this new role is designed to work intimately with our insurance industry to position Ohio as an attractive location for an insurer to expand or locate," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This special representative is a critical addition in helping our state's economy, and our domestic insurance industry, stay strong and become even more competitive."

As Director of Insurance and Financial Development, Raussen will collaborate with Ohio's university system, the Ohio Department of Insurance and the Ohio Department of Commerce on workforce development efforts for Ohio's insurance and financial industries. He is also charged with developing and implementing a strategic plan to grow and retain insurance companies within Ohio, as well as develop a strong workforce to support this expansion.

"It is essential now more than ever for state government agencies to retain Ohio jobs and identify new job opportunities," said Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. "Jim Raussen will be a terrific leader to assist our agencies with creating and expanding on growth and workforce development opportunities. We look forward to partnering in this effort."

"This decision is incredibly tough for me because serving my constituents and making a difference as a legislator has been a truly humbling and incredible experience," said Raussen. "This is an opportunity that really is difficult to turn down because I am passionate about these issues and it's a position that will allow me to continue to serve the public and help improve the lives of Ohioans. My family and I are excited about this new chapter in our lives."

Ohio is an attractive environment for insurance carriers, according to a report by Deloitte Development LLC. Insurance is an $11 billion industry in Ohio, with output growing at an 8 percent annual rate and employment totaling 106,000, increasing at an annual rate just over 1 percent.

Raussen will report directly to the Lieutenant Governor and will also provide updates and information to the Department of Insurance, which is the state regulatory authority for the insurance industry in Ohio.

Raussen, 37, has been a member of the State Legislature since 2003 and has served as the Insurance, Health, Public Utilities, and Economic Development committees during his tenure, and was Chair of the Health Care Access and Affordability Committee.

He has more than 10 years experience in the property and casualty insurance industry with Progressive Insurance, based in Cleveland, and American Financial Group, based in Cincinnati. He also served for two years as Director of Community Relations for Rural/Metro, Inc., for Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, and for four years as a township trustee. Raussen is a graduate of Xavier University with a BA in political science.

Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at 614.466.4133 or Kimber Perfect at 614.466.2609