If Jeanne Heisler, government affairs representative for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey, had her way, the next insurance commissioner in New Jersey would operate much like Steven M. Goldman, who resigned in July.

“I’d like to see the same thing,” said Heisler, president of The Ronan Agency, which has offices in Brick and New Egypt, N.J. Heisler said Goldman’s “open-door policy” helped to ensure the state’s property-casualty insurance needs were met over the last few years.

Neil Jasey

In general, insurance trade groups in the state appreciated Goldman’s efforts over three years, but look forward to an even more supportive replacement.

Gov. Jon Corzine has appointed former Prudential executive Neil Jasey, 61, as interim superintendent. It is unclear whether Jasey or someone else will be Corzine’s permanent successor to Goldman. Any permanent nominee requires Senate approval.

David Mordo, state legislative chair for the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters, said he appreciated Goldman’s “accessibility and straightforwardness,” but characterized the former commissioner’s tenure as “neither good or bad.”

The new commissioner needs to “get out in the trenches and speak to all the stakeholders to get a sense of what each does,” said Mordo, director of small group operations for Walsh Benefits in Fair Haven, N.J. “The rap against agents and carriers is what people see and hear, but I’d rather [the new commissioner] live it,” he added.

The president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey, William R. Vowteras, called Goldman “a dedicated and respected leader in the New Jersey insurance industry.”

“His contributions to the industry are invaluable and we have enjoyed working with him on the issues of concern to independent insurance agents and consumers throughout the state,” said Vowteras, a principal of Fraser Brothers Group in Edison, N.J., in a statement. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Heisler attributed much of the success of the state’s private passenger auto market to Goldman’s efforts.

This story originally appeared in the August 2009 print edition of Insurance & Financial Advisor.