Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, appointed Andrea Bennett, owner of a Sarasota consulting company specializing in insurance regulatory issues, and Allan Katz, a Tallahassee attorney and former Department of Insurance general counsel, as replacements.

Each board term is three years, but members are subject to replacement by the state official who appointed them, or that person's successor.

Citizens' by-laws require that members must be from "different geographical areas of the state," but that plan does not require that at least one member be from any specific county or region of Florida.

In its news release, Citizens said its board is adding "two insurance industry experts and a former state insurance department general counsel."

The third new board member is Carol Everhart, a vice president of BB&T in that bank's Tampa office who has 30 years experience in the insurance industry. Everhart was appointed by Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.

"I am delighted to welcome these new members and I know the expertise they provide will help Citizens meet its goals of becoming the most reliable, consumer-friendly insurer in the state," said Bruce Douglas, chairman of Citizens' eight-member board.

"These three board members provided invaluable experience and leadership to Citizens during a time of tremendous growth and transition," he said.

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