Correct Success: Tennessee Insurance Dept. Makes Multiple Leadership Changes

The Tennessee Division of Commerce & Insurance coverage (TDCI) has introduced a number of senior management function additions and staffing updates from Commissioner Carter Lawrence.

Jennifer Peck

Jennifer Peck has assumed the function of chief of workers and chief working officer, whereas persevering with in her function as deputy commissioner – overseeing Fireplace Prevention/State Fireplace Marshal’s Workplace, the Tennessee Regulation Enforcement Coaching Academy (TLETA)/Peace Officer Requirements Coaching (POST) Fee and the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB).

Beforehand, Peck served as an government director within the Division of Regulatory Boards. Previous to becoming a member of the division, she was the proprietor of Peck Authorized Group, PLLC, which specialised in home relations litigation and mediation.

Toby Compton has been promoted to deputy commissioner – overseeing Insurance coverage, Regulatory Boards, Securities and TennCare Oversight. Beforehand, Compton served as assistant commissioner for the Division of Regulatory Boards for the Division.

Previous to becoming a member of TDCI, Compton was the president and CEO for Related Builders and Contractors for Higher Tennessee, held management positions on the Metro Sports activities Authority in Nashville and labored on the Tennessee Division of Financial and Group Growth.

Invoice Huddleston has been promoted to assistant commissioner for Insurance coverage. A TDCI staff member since 2014, Huddleston beforehand served because the director of Insurance coverage the place he oversaw the division’s administration which incorporates agent licensing, firm examinations, firm monetary evaluation and different duties. An authorized public accountant, Huddleston additionally served as receivership director within the Insurance coverage Division.

In 2017, he was a recipient of a Governor’s Excellence in Service Award for his management within the Division of Regulatory Boards. Earlier than becoming a member of TDCI, Huddleston served as a legislative auditor with the Workplace of the Comptroller.

Alex Martin has joined the division as assistant commissioner for the Division of Regulatory Boards. Beforehand, Martin served as deputy director of exterior affairs and director of appointments for Governor Invoice Lee. In his prior function, Martin labored with the Lee Administration to nominate most of the members of the division’s boards and commissions throughout the Division of Regulatory Boards.

Jim Tracy joined TDCI as a senior advisor to the division. Tracy most just lately served as state director for USDA Rural Growth in Tennessee – working with rural communities to handle native points together with amenities, broadband, water and sewer. On this function he facilitated federal grants and lower-interest loans for companies and residents.

Tracy’s listing of public service spans a long time – having beforehand served as a state senator, Bedford County Board of Training member, president of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, founding member of the Bedford County Financial Growth and Tourism committee and chairman of the Tennessee Management Council of the Nationwide Federation of Unbiased Enterprise.

For greater than 20 years, Tracy owned and operated his personal insurance coverage firm the place he bought all strains of insurance coverage.

Patrick Merkel was promoted to director of Insurance coverage after having served as chief counsel for Insurance coverage, Securities and TennCare Oversight since July 2019. Merkel is on his second time period of service with the division. He first joined TDCI in 2007 and labored with the Division of Regulatory Boards and as chief counsel for Fireplace Prevention and Regulation Enforcement. Merkel beforehand labored in non-public apply representing purchasers earlier than the Tennessee Motor Car Fee, the Tennessee Workplace of the Legal professional Normal and Reporter, state trial courts and the Tennessee Court docket of Appeals.

TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence stated the senior management staffing updates will place the division to proceed its service for Tennesseans and to “additional our mission of defending Tennesseans by way of balanced oversight of insurance coverage whereas fostering honest marketplaces and client schooling that promote the success of people and companies whereas serving as modern leaders.”

Divisions of the Tennessee Division of Commerce & Insurance coverage embody the State Fireplace Marshal’s Workplace, Insurance coverage, Securities, Regulatory Boards, Tennessee Regulation Enforcement Coaching Academy, Tennessee Emergency Communications Board and TennCare Oversight.

Supply: Tennessee Division of Commerce & Insurance coverage