Released: September 26, 2007

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has appointed Clarissa A. Preston Deputy Commissioner of the newly created Office of Consumer Advocacy within the Department of Insurance. Preston most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of the Department's Office of Property & Casualty where she oversaw the consumer affairs and insurance rating and policy forms divisions, along with the Louisiana Property and Casualty Insurance Commission.

Legislation in the 2007 Regular Session created the Office of Consumer Advocacy to provide direct assistance to consumers with their insurance problems. Donelon says Preston is a perfect fit for the job. "Clarissa and the P&C staff work tirelessly to help our state's policyholders with their insurance problems. She knows the insurance issues facing our state and she will be a strong advocate for our consumers," Donelon adds.

Preston is frequently asked to share her knowledge of the Louisiana insurance market at meetings of state and national civic and insurance organizations.

Preston is a New Orleans native and a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1994. She is a certified insurance counselor (CIC) and was recently honored by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors for her dedication and leadership in insurance.

Preston holds both a property & casualty and life & health insurance license (licenses temporarily inactive due to her employment at the Department of Insurance) and is a commissioned civil law notary public. She is a member of many professional and civic organizations including the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals and the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society. Preston also serves as a board member of the Kiwanis Club of South Baton Rouge and holds offices in several other community service organizations.

In 2002 Preston was voted Employee of the Year by her co-workers at the Department of Insurance.