N.J. Names Auto Insurance Regulator

By Mark E. Ruquet

NU Online News Service, April 2, 12:21 p.m.EST?New Jersey Banking and Insurance Commissioner Holly C.Bakke has named Rolando Torres Jr. as special deputy commissionerfor auto insurance.

Mr. Torres, according to her announcement, will facilitate thecommissioner's newly established working group studying autoinsurance.

The group's 30 members consist of consumer advocates, medicalproviders, attorneys and insurance industry representatives. It isexpected to examine the state's auto insurance system and proposeimprovements.

Ms. Bakke said Mr. Torres brings "special expertise in consensusbuilding and reconciling diverse interests on public policyissues."

An attorney, Mr. Torres was vice president and corporate counselat Prudential Insurance Co. of America based in Newark, N.J.

Before Prudential, Mr. Torres served as director of the Divisionon Civil Rights within the state's Department of Law and PublicSafety. There, he was credited with implementing management reformsto reduce the agency's case backlog, the department said.

Mr. Torres served as Law and Public Safety's assistant directorof enforcement, investigating employment, housing and publicaccommodations discrimination. He also served as special counsel tothe former N.J. Department of the Public Advocate, and was anassistant deputy public defender with the Office of the PublicDefender.

Consumer and industry organizations said there is an agreementwith the department not to comment on the working group initiativeuntil after they have completed their work.