Former Tennessee State Sen. Jim Tracy is joining the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance in a senior leadership position.
This, according to a press release that TDCI officials published on their website Friday.
“Tracy most recently served as state director for USDA Rural Development in Tennessee – working with rural communities to address local issues including facilities, broadband, water and sewer,” the press release said.
“In this role he facilitated federal grants and lower-interest loans for businesses and citizens. Tracy’s list of public service spans decades – having previously served as a state senator, Bedford County Board of Education member, president of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, founding member of the Bedford County Economic Development and Tourism committee, and chairman of the Tennessee Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business.”
Tracy previously owned and operated his own insurance company where he sold all lines of insurance, according to the press release.
TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence listed five other people would also have senior leadership positions:
• Jennifer Peck will assume the role of chief of staff and chief operating officer, while she continues in her role as deputy commissioner.
• Toby Compton is now a deputy commissioner, overseeing Insurance, Regulatory Boards, Securities and TennCare Oversight.
• Bill Huddleston is now assistant commissioner for insurance. Huddleston previously served as the director of insurance where he oversaw the division’s administration, which includes agent licensing, company examinations, company financial analysis and other duties.
• Alex Martin joins the department as assistant commissioner for the Division of Regulatory Boards. Previously, Martin served as deputy director of External Affairs and director of appointments for Gov. Bill Lee.
• Patrick Merkel is now director of insurance after having served as chief counsel for Insurance, Securities and TennCare Oversight since July 2019.
“With these senior leadership staffing updates, our department is well positioned to continue our best-in-class service for Tennesseans and to further our mission of protecting Tennesseans through balanced oversight of insurance while fostering fair marketplaces and consumer education that promote the success of individuals and businesses while serving as innovative leaders,” Lawrence said in the press release.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
don’t let any of the recyclables aver be unemployed in the swinging door government there are NO additional people that can fill these roles other than those already in orbit.
And the Tennessee swamp continues to grow, even under “Republican” leadership, hmmm?
Republican leadership in name only. Time for a purge of the Tennessee GOP.