Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner
Steve Poizner was elected California Insurance Commissioner on November 7, 2006 and took the Oath of Office on January 8, 2007. Commissioner Poizner has been described as "independent" (Modesto Bee), "a man of integrity" (LA Times) and someone with "an impressive command of the issues" (SD Union Tribune). A highly-successful businessman/entrepreneur, Poizner founded several companies, the most recent of which pioneered life-saving technology that put GPS receivers into cell phones. As a result, emergency responders are able to locate with pinpoint accuracy the location of those in emergency situations. This technology is now the industry standard and can be found in more than 300 million cell phones around the world. While the Insurance Commissioner post is his first elective office, Poizner has long been active in public service and civic affairs. In 2001-02, Poizner served as a White House Fellow in Washington, D.C., where he was the Director of Critical Infrastructure Protection in the National Security Council. He is also a co-founder of The California Charter Schools Association and has served on the boards of several other organizations committed to assisting disadvantaged children in K-12 schools. Poizner also spent a year teaching 12th grade government at Mount Pleasant High School in East San Jose. As Insurance Commissioner, Poizner oversees the California Department of Insurance (CDI), the largest consumer protection agency in the state. CDI has more than 1,300 employees, a $200 million budget and regulates more than one-seventh of the California economy. Poizner was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas where, based on academics and extracurricular leadership, he was named the Top Male Student in the University. Poizner was also recognized as one of the Top 10 Electrical Engineering Students. He moved to California in 1978 to attend Stanford University, where he earned a Master's Degree with Honors in Business Administration. Commissioner Poizner and his wife, Carol, live in Los Gatos where they are raising their daughter, Rebecca. More Information: » Return to Elected Officials |
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