GRANHOLM - Granholm Names Melvin Butch Hollowell Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today named Melvin Butch Hollowell as Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate. Hollowell's new position is effective April 6.

"Michigan residents are paying some of the highest home and auto insurance rates in the nation, and they need an advocate who will lead an aggressive effort to find a solution to the skyrocketing cost of insurance," Granholm said. "Butch's dedication to public policy and his remarkable work on civil rights will ensure that citizens have a very strong advocate fighting for affordable, reliable, and fair auto and home insurance."

In her State of the State address, Granholm announced she would name a new insurance consumer advocate to fight for affordable, reliable, and fair auto and home insurance in Michigan. On February 1, the governor signed Executive Order 2008-2, effective April 6, establishing the position in what will be known as the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR), the state agency currently known as the Office of Financial and Insurance Services and renamed by the same executive order.

Hollowell will exercise his duties independently of OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross, whose responsibilities to regulate the state's insurance industry remain unchanged.

As insurance consumer advocate, Hollowell has authority to conduct hearings and receive testimony from consumers and submit to the governor an annual report on his findings and recommendations for administrative, legislative, or other corrective actions that would positively affect the interests of automobile insurance and home insurance consumers. Hollowell also has authority to educate consumers on how to protect themselves against predatory or illegal insurance practices and coordinate advocacy and educational efforts with non-governmental consumer advocacy entities and other organizations.

Hollowell, 48 of Detroit, currently serves as general counsel of the Detroit Branch NAACP and has worked on automobile insurance reform since 1986, when he was appointed chair of the organization's auto insurance task force.

Hollowell also serves as counsel to the Detroit-based law firm, Allen Brothers, PLLC and has over 20 years experience in the areas of civil rights, election law, public contracting, administrative law, business law, and municipal finance. He served as the first African American chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party and has held a number of public positions, including assistant Wayne County executive and has served on a number of civic and educational boards.

Hollowell earned his law degree from the University of Virginia and has a bachelor's degree from Albion College.

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