Beebe appoints Bradford as state insurance chief

Gov. Mike Beebe has appointed Jay Bradford of Pine Bluff as Commissioner of the Arkansas Insurance Department. The appointment will take effect on January 15.

Bradford has served as director of the Division of Behavioral Sciences at the Arkansas Department of Human Services the past two years. Prior to that, Bradford worked in the insurance industry for more than four decades, including 30 years as founder and chairman of First Arkansas Insurance Group in Pine Bluff.  Bradford also served more than two decades in the Arkansas Legislature, chosen both as Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Bradford will replace Julie Benafield Bowman, whose resignation takes effect today (Dec. 31). Beebe will appoint Lenita Blasingame of El Paso, a 43-year veteran of the Arkansas Insurance Department, to serve as Interim Commissioner until Bowman’s term officially expires on Jan. 14.

Bradford’s appointment will expire Jan. 14, 2013.