Abbott Reappoints Brown to Head DWC

Friday, February 8, 2019 | 0

Cassie Brown, the first woman to head the Texas Division of Workers' Compensation, has been reappointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the governor's office announced today.

Commissioner Cassie Brown

Abbott named Brown in June to fill the unexpired term of former Commissioner Ryan Brannan, who left the agency to launch a lobbying firm. Brown's full term will last until Feb. 1, 2021, at which time she can be reappointed. Her appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation.

Brown previously was deputy commissioner of the state Department of Insurance and was deputy director of legislative affairs for Gov. Rick Perry. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from St. Edward's University in Austin and attended the governor's executive development program at the University of Texas School of Public Affairs.

Brown is the first non-attorney to head the workers' compensation division and is the first woman commissioner since the division was created in 2005. The agency was previously known as the Workers' Compensation Commission, which was abolished by legislation in 2005 and reorganized under the Department of Insurance.