California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has named Personal Insurance Federation of California Chief Executive Officer Dan Dunmoyer as a deputy chief of staff as part of a cabinet reshuffling in Sacramento.

The naming of Mr. Dunmoyer and newly appointed Cabinet Secretary Frank "Fred" Aguiar, both Republicans, is being viewed as an attempt to balance the cabinet after the governor appointed Susan Kennedy, a former top aide to Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, as chief of staff.

Republicans have sharply opposed Ms. Kennedy's appointment, which led one member of the state Republican Party Board to resign.

"As governor, it is my duty to find the smartest and most capable people to help me move our great state forward," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Dan's wide-ranging experience developing policy when he worked in the state assembly and his private sector experience will help me accomplish great things for the people of California."

In addition to serving as president and CEO of the PIFC for the past nine years, Mr. Dunmoyer served as chief administrative officer for the Republican Caucus of the California State Assembly between 1984 and 1989.

Prior to his GOP caucus post he served as the senior consultant for the Assembly Finance and Insurance Committee and has also been the parliamentary advisor and editor of the "Floor Alert," a document used for decision-making on the floor of the California Assembly.

"The governor has shown a commitment to improving the business environment in order to create jobs, and to opposing tax increases,' Mr. Dunmoyer said. "These are the types of values that I fought for in the state assembly and the principles I will advocate for while serving in the administration."

Mr. Dunmoyer will assume the newly created $123,255 post as of Jan. 1, 2006. His appointment does not need to be confirmed by the state Senate.

Ken Nigohosian, executive director of the Alliance of Insurance Agents and Brokers, praised Mr. Dunmoyer as "an effective leader who has proven himself time and again."

Alliance legislative advocate Kevin Pedrotti also had high praise for Mr. Dunmoyer's work as leader of the PIFC.

"Dan is an all-star within the lobbying ranks," Mr. Pedrotti said. "All who know and work with Dan respect him for his ethics, knowledge of legislative process and commitment to his family. Dan built PIFC from a small insurance industry trade group to the industry leader within the Sacramento lobbying community."

Mr. Pedrotti added, "While Dan's departure leaves a void within the insurance industry; he is a great addition to the governor's team heading into an election year."