Vt., Idaho name insurance regulators

The governors of Vermont and Idaho have chosen people with governmental experience to be the top insurance regulators in their respective states.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas on Wednesday appointed Paulette Thabault as commissioner of the state's Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, effective Jan. 22.

She will succeed John P. Crowley, who is retiring, spokespeople said.

Ms. Thabault served as the department's deputy commissioner for health care administration from 2003 through 2005. The governor also said Ms. Thabault previously was a small-business owner and independent consultant.

In Idaho on Tuesday, Gov. C.L. Otter appointed W.W. Deal as director of the state's Department of Insurance. Mr. Deal, who served eight terms in the Idaho House of Representatives, stepped down from his House seat to take the insurance post.

Mr. Deal succeeds Acting Director Shad Priest, who replaced former Director Gary Smith.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Deal and his wife owned and operated the W.W. Deal Insurance Agency in Nampa, Idaho. Mr. Deal said he has resigned from the agency, is selling it and has placed his holdings in a trust.