New Hampshire Approves Elias as Insurance Commissioner to Succeed Sevigny

The New Hampshire Executive Council has unanimously approved John Elias as New Hampshire’s new commissioner for the Department of Insurance, succeeding Roger Sevigny who is set to retire June 11 after 16 years in the role.

“John is a good choice,” Sevigny said in an emailed statement to Insurance Journal. “I have full confidence in his ability and wish him the best for the future.”

As insurance commissioner, Sevigny led a staff of 82 employees at the New Hampshire Insurance Department. In a previous interview with Insurance Journal, he pointed to assisting with guiding the state through the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as two of his biggest accomplishments while in office.

Sevigny also offered a word of advice for his successor: “Do what makes sense and regulate in a way that you would want to be regulated if you were on the other side.”

Elias will serve as New Hampshire’s Insurance Commissioner for a five-year term, effective June 10.

He previously held the position of assistant commissioner at the New Hampshire Insurance Department and has more than 15 years of experience working for insurance carriers in various management and executive roles in underwriting, compliance, product management and strategic planning.

Since joining the New Hampshire Insurance Department, he has been focused on organizational structure, process improvement and the overall efficiency of the organization, according to the department.

Elias said that he hopes to use his years of experience managing teams and organizations in the insurance industry to bring a unique perspective to insurance regulation as New Hampshire’s insurance commissioner.

“My experience as an insurance company executive has provided me with a unique perspective on insurance regulation,” he stated in his application letter for the role, obtained by Insurance Journal. “I understand company philosophies, worked with regulators in 16 states, and embrace customer service and continuous improvement.”