"After a thorough search and consideration of several excellent candidates, the PCI Board felt that Secretary Sampson's unique combination of political acumen, personal integrity, and management experience made him the right person to lead PCI," Tierney said.
PCI is represents more than 1,000 member companies that write almost 40 percent of the nation's property and casualty insurance. PCI and its affiliates have a staff of 240 and a $40 million budget. It has offices in suburban Chicago and Washington, D.C, seven regional offices, and has lobbyists in every state.
Sampson has served as the Deputy Secretary of the Commerce Department since July 2005. As the department's chief operating officer he manages a $6.5 billion budget and 38,000 employees in 13 operating units. He is also a member of President Bush's Management Council. Sampson is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an agency with one of the broadest portfolios in the federal government. The Commerce Department's responsibilities include promoting U.S. exports, negotiating and enforcing international trade agreements, and regulating sensitive goods and technology exports. It is also the lead policy agency on weather forecasting and climate research, technology, and telecommunications.