New Jersey Governor-Elect Chris Christie has selected Tom Considine, a 17-year employee of MetLife, to become the state’s next commissioner of banking and insurance.

Tom Considine

Today (Jan. 15), Christie announced Considine as the successor to Neil Jasey, who was named to the post by former Gov. Jon Corzine last July, following the resignation of Steven M. Goldman, who accepted a post at a New York law firm.

Considine serves as vice president and government relations counsel for MetLife, overseeing government relations and public policy issues for both the insurer’s financial services and auto and home companies nationally.

Christie’s transition office noted that Considine “possesses extensive professional government relations and financial services experience developed through service in the private sector, as well as with the quasi-governmental organizations that comprise the insurance guaranty association.”

In addition to directing government relations for MetLife for all issues in New Jersey, he has served on various committees for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Considine has also served on the board of directors for the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations, the national coordinating group for the state guaranty system, and serves on the Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Board of Directors in New Jersey as treasurer.

He was a founding appointee to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Financial Services Advisory Board, is a member of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania’s board of directors, and formerly served on the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers’ board of directors and that group’s legislative policy committee.

Prior to joining MetLife, Considine serves as a litigation associate at Connell, Foley and Geiser, a New Jersey law firm, involved in insurance litigation.

His appointment was accompanied by that of Jennifer Valez as commissioner of the state’s department of human services and Major General Glenn Reith as the adjutant general of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“My first commitment is putting qualified, strong individuals in positions where they can effect real change,” Christie said in a statement. “Our government has and can provide meaningful services to New Jerseyans and I am confident that working together we will be able to address our severe fiscal challenges while delivering on priority programs.”

Christie takes office as New Jersey’s next governor on Jan. 19.