Arkansas Business

Jay Bradford

After more than four decades in the insurance industry, Jay Bradford was appointed as commissioner of the Arkansas Insurance Department in 2009. The department received a $1 million federal grant to begin planning for the Health Benefits Exchange, which will be running by January 2014. The exchange will be established under the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act and allow people and small businesses to shop for health insurance coverage.

Bradford had been the founder and chairman of First Arkansas Insurance Group, a statewide network of independent property and casualty agencies. He also served in the Arkansas Legislature for 24 years, chosen both as speaker of the House of Representatives and president pro tempore of the Senate.