Mass. names insurance commissioner

BOSTON—Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick today named Superior Court Justice Nonnie S. Burnes as insurance commissioner.

Ms. Burnes, 64, will resign her judgeship, which she has held since 1996, before assuming the post on Feb. 26, according to the governor's statement.

"Judge Burnes is the right choice for the Commonwealth, and will insure that Massachusetts maintains its economic competitive edge by ensuring the insurance products are both affordable and fair for consumers," Housing and Economic Development Secretary Dan O'Connell said in the statement.