New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner John Elias, who was appointed by Gov. Chris T. Sununu in May, began his five-year term on Monday, the department announced.

Commissioner John Elias

Elias said his priorities as commissioner include regulatory modernization, operational efficiency and effectiveness, and use of data to promote market transparency and improve regulatory accountability.

Elias joined the Insurance Department in 2016 as property and casualty director and was promoted to assistant commissioner. Elias has worked in the insurance industry for 15 years. He led compliance, underwriting and project teams, and served as vice president for two property and casualty insurers. 

Elias has a master’s degree in business administration and Juris Doctorate. He holds a chartered insurance operations professional designation and a certificate in strategic management of regulatory enforcement agencies.