TDCI Announces Promotion and New Hire to Division of Insurance

TN Insurance News

Published March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announced the promotion of Michael Barber to Director of Consumer Insurance Services and the hiring of Peter Roth as Director of Business Process Improvement. These changes aim to enhance consumer services and operational efficiency within the Division of Insurance.

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What changed

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) has announced two personnel changes within its Division of Insurance. Michael Barber has been promoted to Director of Consumer Insurance Services, a section that handles over 5,100 consumer complaints annually and recovered over $15.6 million for consumers last year. Peter Roth has joined TDCI as the Director of Business Process Improvement, tasked with streamlining operations and increasing productivity.

These appointments are internal operational changes within a state regulatory agency. While they do not impose new direct obligations on regulated entities, they signal a continued focus on consumer protection and operational efficiency by the TDCI. Insurers and insurance professionals may indirectly benefit from improved processes and a dedicated consumer services section. No immediate compliance actions are required from external parties based on this announcement.

Source document (simplified)

TDCI Announces Promotion, New Team Member to Division of Insurance Team

Monday, March 02, 2026 | 02:58pm NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announces a key promotion and new team member to the Department’s Division of Insurance team.

Michael Barber was recently promoted to Director of the Division’s Consumer Insurance Services section. This section receives, investigates, and mediates consumer insurance complaints. Last year, the Consumer Insurance Services section received over 5,100 consumer complaints and returned over $15.6 million to Tennessee consumers. An experienced insurance professional with 20 years’ experience in a variety of leadership positions in the industry, Mr. Barber joined TDCI in 2018 as a Consumer Insurance Investigator before being promoted in 2020 to Consumer Insurance Services Manager. A veteran with ten years’ experience in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Barber and his family live in Hermitage.

Peter Roth recently joined TDCI as the Director of Business Process Improvement. In his role, Peter identifies opportunities to streamline business processes, improve efficiency, and increase productivity by collaborating with Insurance Division leadership and staff, as well as internal and external stakeholders. A retired Green Beret, Master Sergeant with over 20 years’ managerial and combat experience, Mr. Roth joined TDCI after serving with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation where he was a special projects advisor and, later, as Defense Program Director for Cybastion Technologies in Arlington, Va. Mr. Roth and his family live in Clarksville.

“Though both Michael and Peter have only been in their new roles for a short time, they have already shown the expertise, knowledge, and dedication that will continue to grow the Department’s reputation as a leader among state regulators,” said Deputy Commissioner for the Divisions of Insurance, Regulatory Boards, Securities, and TennCare Oversight Bill Huddleston. “I believe they will help us continue to fulfill our mission: Protecting Tennesseans, Empowering Professionals.”

As Tennessee’s insurance regulator, TDCI protects Tennessee consumers by licensing and regulating both individuals and corporations, mediating consumer complaints, and providing resources to the citizens of Tennessee. Tennessee currently boasts 322,230 active licensed insurance producers, 51,852 resident insurance producer’s licenses, and 270,378 non-resident licensees, which is the largest number of active licensed insurance professionals in state history.