James J. Wrynn was named the new executive director of the New York State Insurance Fund by its board of commissioners.

NYSIF is a non-profit agency in New York created as part of the Workers’ Compensation Law of 1914, as a competitive insurance carrier selling workers’ compensation and disability benefits insurance to any employer doing business in New York State.

About 185,000 employers hold NYSIF workers’ compensation policies – comprising 37% of the market – while more than 61,000 have active disability benefits polices, according to agency.

Wrynn replaces David Wehner, who resigned in March, at the request of Gov. David Paterson’s administration, following allegations that the fund participated in political patronage, according to press reports.

Wrynn’s nomination was unanimously approved by the board on April 22, the same day his appointment became effective.

A partner in the law firm of MacKay, Wrynn & Brady with offices in both New York and New Jersey, Wrynn is admitted to the federal and state courts in both states and the Supreme Court of the United States. His firm specializes in civil litigation and appellate practice with an emphasis on insurance law.

In a statement, Wrynn said he looks forward to serving the NYSIF and thanked the governor and the board of commissioners for “the confidence they have placed in me to guide such an important organization and an experienced staff, for the opportunity to further the mission of being the leading provider of workers’ compensation and disability benefits insurance in New York State.”

Wrynn has an extensive legal background in insurance, counseling agents, brokers, risk retention groups and insurance companies in most lines of insurance and excess insurance, reinsurance, self-insurance and captive insurance, according to the NYSIF.