Commissioner Lara announces several appointments and reappointments to statewide advisory boards

News: 2026 Press Release

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today announced several appointments and reappointments to the California Department of Insurance’s statewide governing boards to help drive forward the Department’s mission to protect California consumers and businesses.

These include naming newly appointed members Andrea Hecht and Jim Taylor to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) Board of Governors and Don Hofer to the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) Governing Committee. The reappointed members include Nona Tirre to the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) Advisory Committee; Thomas Connell (T.C.) Wilson and Ophir Bruck to the California Organized Investment Network Advisory Board; Janise Graham to the Curriculum Board; and Alycia Anderson, Kelly Huang, Pradip Khemani, Jose Plascencia, Vikita Poindexter, and Marquita Thomas to the Insurance Diversity Task Force.

“I am pleased to announce these appointments,” said Commissioner Lara. “I have every confidence that these new and returning members will act in the best interest of all Californians. The leadership, expertise, and diverse perspectives of these appointees are critical to driving my Department’s priority to protect consumers and ensure a robust insurance marketplace in California.”

The Governor and California State Legislature created CAARP to provide auto insurance for motorists unable to obtain coverage in the private market due to their driving records or other extraordinary circumstances. One program within the plan -- the California Low Cost Auto Program -- aims to provide affordable liability insurance to income-eligible good drivers by assigning them to private insurers based upon the companies’ share of the auto insurance market. The CAARP Advisory Committee provides policy advice to the Insurance Commissioner on matters affecting the operation of its programs.

The CIGA Board of Governors oversees the guarantee association’s general operations and management in order to protect policyholders in the event of an insurance company insolvency. Established in 1996 by the Governor and California State Legislature, CIGA comprises all insurance companies admitted to sell homeowners, workers’ compensation, automobile, and other specified property and casualty lines of insurance in California.

The California Organized Investment Network (COIN) was established in 1996 within the Department of Insurance to help guide insurers on making financially sound investments that yield environmental benefits throughout California and social benefits within the State’s underserved communities. Commissioner Lara has prioritized COIN investments which drive affordable housing, support small businesses, combat climate change, and encourage investors to utilize diverse investment managers more. The COIN Advisory Board provides guidance to the Commissioner and the COIN program to meet its mission and chief priorities.

The Curriculum Board oversees the development of pre-licensing and continuing education curriculum for agents and brokers to uphold professional standards that protect consumers. This includes a list of preapproved courses of study as well as courses of study for professional designations. This Board also develops standards for providers and instructors who offer courses and other training to licensed agents and brokers. 

The Insurance Diversity Task Force advises the Department’s nationally-recognized Insurance Diversity Program (as part of the Office of Insurance Diversity and Innovation), which encourages insurers to expand access and economic inclusion with diverse business owners, such as a woman-owned, veteran-/disabled veteran-owned, historically disadvantaged community-owned, people with disabilities-owned, or LGBTQ+-owned businesses, as well as advance diversity of insurance company corporate boards. The Task Force makes recommendations to the Insurance Commissioner regarding innovative ways to increase diversity within the insurance industry.

The WCIRB Governing Committee sets policy, oversees WCIRB management, and reviews all issues involving pure premium rates, classifications, rating plans, rating systems, manual rules and policy, and endorsement forms. The WCIRB is a private organization licensed by the Department for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and compiling rating data, with funding coming from assessments of its insurance company members. All workers’ compensation insurance companies in California are required by law to be members of the WCIRB.  

Upcoming board meetings include:

• CAARP Advisory Committee meeting on August 18 -19, 2026
• CIGA Board of Governors meeting on August 11-12, 2026
• COIN Advisory Board meeting on August 6, 2026
• Curriculum Board meeting on July 16, 2026
• Insurance Diversity Task Force meeting on September 10, 2026
• WCIRB Governing Committee meeting on September 23, 2026

More details are available at: www.insurance.ca.gov/boards. Public members of the CAARP Advisory Committee receive $250 per meeting. All other positions are uncompensated.

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Media Notes:

Appointed members include:

CAARP:

Nona Tirre Miranda is owner and operator of a State Farm Insurance agency for the last 14 years in Claremont. Tirre Miranda is the recipient of the State Farm Top 100 New Agents within the United States, the Woman of the Year award by then-State Assemblywoman Norma Torres in 2012, and the Small Business of the Year award by then-State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod in 2011. She serves as President of the Rotary District 5300 Area Governor and is on the City of Claremont Police Commission. Tirre Miranda has been reappointed to the CAARP Advisory Committee in the producer representative seat with a term ending on July 12, 2027.

CIGA Board of Governors:

Andrea Hecht is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CSAA Insurance Exchange. Hecht brings more than 25 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, risk management, and insurance operations, including leadership roles in both the insurance industry and public accounting. Prior to joining CSAA, Hecht held leadership roles in financial reporting and accounting across the insurance and financial services industries, including experience in public accounting and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting. She also serves as a board member and Treasurer of Trinity Center. Hecht joins the CIGA Board of Governors in the member insurer representative seat, with a term ending on December 31, 2028.

James (Jim) Taylor is Chief Compliance Officer at Farmers Insurance Group, Inc. and is responsible for regulatory risk assessment, advisory support, assurance oversight, and fraud investigation. Prior to his current role, Taylor has served in several roles at Farmers, including Chief Claims Compliance Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel. He currently serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the Center for Risk & Insurance of California State University Northridge since 2013. He is also a member of the Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters in which he has served in various capacities including Western Region Chapter Governor and Los Angeles Chapter President. Taylor has been appointed to the CIGA Board of Governors in the member insurer representative seat, with a term ending on December 31, 2027.

COIN Advisory Board:

Ophir Bruck is Head of Investment Management and Insurance Sustainability Solutions at S&P Global Sustainable1, S&P Global’s central source for sustainability intelligence. Prior to his current role, Bruck led signatory relations and strategic initiatives in western North America for the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. Bruck has been reappointed to the COIN Advisory Board as a representative with experience seeking investments that provide environmental benefits with a term ending on July 12, 2028.

Thomas Connell (T.C.) Wilson III is Chief Investment Officer of Napa-based The Doctors Company (TDC) Group, the nation’s largest physician-owned provider of medical malpractice insurance, claims and risk management services, and innovative healthcare practice solutions. Wilson directly oversees the company’s $12 billion of assets, is chair of its 401k Committee, and Treasurer of the TDC Foundation. As a mission-based company, TDC Group has been a longtime advocate for COIN. Under Wilson’s leadership, TDC has formally adopted a policy that requires the company to allocate at least 1% of its total invested assets in COIN-qualified strategies. Wilson has been reappointed to the COIN Advisory Board in the insurance investment executive representative seat with a term ending on July 12, 2028.

Curriculum Board:

Janise Graham is President and CEO of Leaving In Style, Inc. and Owner of Entrepreneur's Insurance Services. Graham works with business owners to strengthen business continuity, succession readiness, and long-term enterprise value. She is also a speaker, author, and business strategist, helping business owners preserve the businesses they have built and create greater continuity for their employees, families, and communities. Graham serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) California and on the Board of Directors of AmPac Business Capital. She is a Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Inland Empire Chapter.  Graham has been reappointed to the Curriculum Board in the life agent trade association representative seat, with a term ending on June 17, 2029.

Insurance Diversity Task Force:

Pradip Khemani is Vice President, Business Solutions & Strategic Alliances at Blue Shield of California, where he leads Global Business Services, Blue Partnerships, and Environmental Sustainability across the Ascendium family of companies. He also serves as President of Honu Kai Assurance, Ltd., the organization's Hawaii-licensed captive insurer. Khemani has more than 30 years of international business experience with expertise in sourcing strategy, procurement, supplier governance, risk management, environmental sustainability, supplier diversity, insurance operations, and business development. He is an active industry leader, co-chairing the Health Insurers Working Group and serving on the NASPURC Board, and the HFS OneCouncil. Khemani has been reappointed to the Task Force as an insurance industry representative with expertise in supplier diversity with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

Jose Plascencia is Owner of Jose Plascencia Allstate Insurance Agency in Reedley California. He is a former Market Development Director and Media Spokesperson for AAA of Northern California, where he led, facilitated, and championed several Diversity and Inclusion initiatives over his 15-year career. He is also Chair Emeritus of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Foundation where he oversees the effectiveness of the diverse supplier program, which helps Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses to connect to companies with contracting opportunities. He is the Board Treasurer and former Chair of the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce and is also the former Board Chair for both the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Valley PBS. Plascencia has been reappointed to the Task Force as an advocate/representative for minority business enterprises with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

Vikita Poindexter is the CEO/President of Poindexter Consulting Group, LLC, a minority woman-owned small business specializing in human resources strategy, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and organizational development. Poindexter educates and advises business owners on strategies to strengthen, propel, and grow their organizations throughout the United States, with expertise in California employment practices.  Poindexter serves as an appointed Executive Council Member for AARP California; a board member of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO); a board member of GRID Alternatives; and a board member of Capital Access Institute. She is a former Board President of the California chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Poindexter was recently reelected by the Task Force to serve her second term as Chair. Poindexter has been reappointed to the Task Force as an advocate/representative for women business enterprises with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

Alycia Anderson is CEO and Founder of The Alycia Anderson Company, LLC, which focuses on the education and advocacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Anderson was named one of the 2025 Top 100 Small Businesses in the U.S. by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is an international TEDx speaker, disability advocate, accessibility strategist, and host of the Pushing Forward with Alycia podcast. A wheelchair user since birth with more than 15 years in technology leadership, she has partnered with over 200 global organizations to advance disability inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. Anderson’s work has been recognized through the ERG Program of the Year Award, Authority Magazine’s 2025 Female Disruptor series, and Chico State’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. Anderson currently serves as Vice Chair of the Task Force and is the first person with disabilities to serve as in this leadership role. Anderson has been reappointed to the Task Force as an advocate/representative of persons with disabilities business enterprises with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

Kelly Huang is Owner of coachkellyhuang.com LLC and an Executive Coach for Genesis Advisers, where she helps leaders transition into new roles as company executives. Huang’s recent board experience includes serving as a member of Eagle Genomics (UK) Global Advisory Board where she guided the CEO on U.S. market entry strategy and talent development. Additionally, she served a 10-year board tenure at American Money Management where she led the audit committee to provide oversight to a $20 million mutual fund. In the community, she co-chaired the Boardroom Ready program for Women in Bio, which supports women’s participation on corporate boards in the life sciences.  Huang has been reappointed to the Task Force as an advocate/representative of women business enterprises with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

Marquita Thomas is President, CEO, and Founder of the first statewide LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in California, which advocates for and empowers LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses. In this capacity, Thomas has spearheaded the creation of many programs and events, such as an annual LGBTQ business expo, CEO roundtables, and a statewide supplier diversity initiative. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and owned her own business: Marquita Thomas Consulting. She previously served on the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ and Planning Commissions as well as Christopher Street West/L.A. Pride Board. Thomas has been reappointed to the Task Force as an advocate/representative of LGBT business enterprises with a term ending on July 16, 2028.

WCIRB Governing Committee:

Donald (Don) Hofer is Vice President for Shea Homes Northern California Division. Hofer brings more than 30 years of experience as a real estate executive, leading complex development, regulatory matters, entitlement, and planning initiatives. Hofer currently leads community development operations across Northern California for Shea Homes and manages projects from acquisition due diligence through full entitlement, permitting, construction, bond release, and HOA transition. He serves in leadership roles with several industry organizations, including as a current Executive Committee Member and past Board Chair for the California Building Industry Association, as well as Board of Directors member for the Builders Industry Association of the Bay Area. Hofer joins the WCIRB Governing Committee in the insured employer representative seat with a term ending on July 16, 2028.