The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions has named Charles Bassett as Director, following his appointment by Governor Hobbs. Bassett is a veteran public policy attorney with more than three decades of experience spanning insurance law and healthcare policy.

He joins DIFI after a long tenure at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, where he served as Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy since 2004, overseeing state and federal legislative affairs and advising executive leadership on regulatory matters. Bassett has also held leadership roles across Arizona’s healthcare policy community and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona. He earned both his JD and BA from the University of Arizona.

Bassett succeeds Maria Ailor, who has served as interim director since May 2025. DIFI credited Ailor with more than 30 years of public service to the State of Arizona.