America Service Group Inc. (ASGR) said late Wednesday that Michael W. Taylor, a C.P.A., will join the company as chief financial officer, replacing Walker Choppin, who is resigning "to pursue other interests." Mr. Taylor starts his job November 1.

The hiring comes after the Brentwood company's shares have been battered by word that it lost several renewals of contracts to provide medical services to inmates.

Since 1998, Mr. Taylor has been vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer for Mid-State Automotive Distributors, Inc.

Mr. Choppin was named CFO in October, 2000, succeeding Bruce Teal. Before joining America Service Group, Choppin had been Senior Vice-President of the Healthcare Banking Group of Bank of America, where he had worked since 1985.