Six months ago, Beth Sammis was named acting insurance commissioner of the Maryland Insurance Administration and she may hold that title for a bit longer.

Beth Sammis

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s office, which appointed Sammis, a deputy commissioner, in January to the post, said the search process is “underway” for a full-time replacement for Ralph S. Tyler, who accepted a position at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The governor looks forward to appointing a permanent commissioner at the conclusion of that process,” O’Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec told IFAwebnews.com. “There is no timeline, only the criteria that the right candidate be selected.”

Ademec added that Sammis “has indicated her desire to be considered for the role,” and has been “a part of that process as a candidate.”

It remains unclear what, if any, other candidates have been discussed or interviewed by O’Malley’s staff.

Following her appointment as acting insurance commissioner, Sammis said she was “honored” to be selected by O’Malley, but deferred comment on whether she hoped to assume the post on a full-time basis.

Sammis again declined comment through an MIA spokesperson, citing the ongoing process by the governor’s office.

Prior to joining the MIA, Sammis served as vice president for government affairs for the mid-Atlantic region of UnitedHealthcare and as senior vice-president of corporate communications for Mid-Atlantic Medical Services Inc. (MAMSI).

This story originally appeared in the June 2010 print edition of Insurance & Financial Advisor.