MONTGOMERY – – Gov.-elect Robert Bentley announced three cabinet-level appointments Thursday.

David Adams Perry, an attorney with the Birmingham-based law firm Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. has been named state finance director; Circuit Judge Charles R. “Chuck” Malone of Tuscaloosa has been named chief of staff; and Jim L. Ridling will continue in his current role as insurance commissioner.

Perry worked in the finance department in Gov. Bob Riley’s administration, serving as assistant finance director, working with then Finance Director Drayton Nabers Jr. Subsequently, he also served as outside counsel to the finance department on other state finance matters.

Malone is presiding circuit judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Tuscaloosa. He was an attorney in private practice in Tuscaloosa from 1981 to January 2001 primarily representing businesses and individuals.

Ridling’s insurance career began in 1967 with Fireman’s Fund Insurance as a management trainee. He rose to become executive vice president of Fireman’s United States Branch Operations, leaving to become president and chief executive officer of Southern Guaranty, an insurance company headquartered in Montgomery. He was named chairman soon after and held that position until retirement in 2003. Ridling has served as state insurance commissioner since September 2008.