New Mexico appoints Chavez superintendent

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has given unanimous consent to the appointment of Morris Chavez as the superintendent of insurance. He replaces former Superintendent Eric Serna, who retired in May amidst allegations of improper activity.

Chavez, who is currently the state gaming representative on the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, where he has served since his appointment in 2004, will submit his resignation. He accepted a salary of $91,500 per year.

Prior to being a gaming representative, Chavez served as surety consultant and corporate counsel for the Manuel Lujan Insurance Inc. in Albuquerque as well as vice president of operations and board member of the National Guaranty Insurance Co. in Santa Fe,

The commissioners also appointed Aaron Feliciano to a newly established position of chief market conduct analyst. The position was established to place more emphasis on the importance of investigations and examinations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau. Feliciano previously served as an examiner for the Division of Insurance.

The PRC also filled the vacancy of general counsel for the Division of Insurance with the appointment of John Clough.

“With these new appointments, the commission is committed to a new focus for the Division of Insurance, making New Mexico a more friendly place to do insurance business, while making the industry understand that if they do business in New Mexico they will follow the laws of New Mexico,” Chairman Ben R Lujan of District 3 added.

Earlier in October, controversy arose when the PRC said it was considering candidates to replace former Superintendent Eric Serna but did not make the names of applicants public. Serna stepped down from the position following a suspension ordered by the commission over conflict-of-interest issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.