Anderson Appointed as Commissioner of Massachusetts Division of Insurance

Governor Charlie Baker has appointed Gary D. Anderson as commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI), a regulatory agency under the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Anderson has served as acting commissioner since February of this year when former commissioner Daniel Judson stepped down to accept a new position as president of the Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau, according to a DOI spokesperson.

“Over the past several months, Commissioner Anderson has proven his ability to successfully guide the division and keep the best interests of the commonwealth’s residents its number one priority,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a press release issued by the DOI.

As commissioner, Anderson will report to John Chapman, undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Anderson initially joined the DOI in 2014 as first deputy commissioner. After being appointed acting commissioner, he was responsible for overseeing and monitoring an approximately $53 billion industry with more than 1,600 licensed insurance companies and approximately 126,000 insurance agents licensed to do business in Massachusetts.

The DOI is also responsible for monitoring the financial solvency of its licensees, reviewing and approving rates and forms, coordinating the takeover and liquidation of insolvent insurance companies and the rehabilitation of financially troubled companies, the DOI press release explained.

“Commissioner Anderson is a committed public servant with a strong skill set and extensive private and public sector experience that will be a tremendous asset to his continued leadership,” Governor Baker added in the release.

Prior to his roles at the DOI, Anderson served as a policy advisor and senior counsel in the Massachusetts State Senate President’s Office, where he was involved in a number of policy areas ranging from controlling health care costs to all matters affecting the financial services sector, according to the DOI press release.

Before that, he served as the general counsel for the Financial Services Committee, where he handled legislation relating to insurance and banking. Anderson’s private sector work began in 1999 with a regional insurer in the Northwestern United States and includes experience at a pharmaceutical company, where he was responsible for negotiating the tiered status of pharmaceuticals in the hospital setting, the release stated.

“A robust and reliable insurance marketplace is a critical component of a healthy economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash in the DOI press release. “Gary is a successful leader and his appointment ensures continued stability to the Division and Massachusetts.”

Topics Legislation Massachusetts