Kennedy named NCOIL president

The National Conference of Insurance Legislators has announced a new slate of officers. Brian Kennedy, D-R.I., has been named the group’s president. Other 2008 officers include president-elect New York Republican senator James Seward; vice president Robert Damron, a Democratic representative in Kentucky; and secretary George Keiser, a Republican representative in North Dakota. Carroll Leavell, a Republican representative in New Mexico has been named treasurer of Troy, N.Y.-based NCOIL. Six new committee co-chairs have also been added for 2008. Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette, a New York Democrat, and Fulton Sheen, a Republican representative in Michigan, will lead the financial services and investment products committee. Susan Westrom, a Democratic representative in Kentucky, and Republican delegate Harvey Morgan of Virginia will chair the health, long term care and health retirement issues group. Finally, Democratic senator Joseph Crisco of Connecticut and Republican representative Michael Ripley of Indiana will lead the life insurance and planning committee.