The official announcement was issued on December 18, 2020
Governor Chris Sununu has approved the nomination of Policy Director D.J. Bettencourt as the next Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner Chris Nicolopoulos nominated Mr. Bettencourt, who will begin his new role on January 15, 2021.
“D.J. has dedicated his career to state service,” Nicolopoulos said. “He will be a great addition to the hard-working team here at the Department, and I look forward to working with him.” In Bettencourt’s role as Department liaison, he worked with a number of insurance companies on individual market stability issues, assisted with shepherding the state’s 1332 Waiver through the legislative process, and helped to transition New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program out of the individual market and into managed care.
A former State Representative from Salem, Mr. Bettencourt also served for four years as the Governor’s liaison to the Department. He also serves as Co-Chairman of the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force.
“DJ has been an integral part of my administration since day one, and I am excited for his next challenge,” Governor Sununu said. “From advocating for expanded school choice to promoting policies that have strengthened the New Hampshire Advantage all while overseeing the State’s Economic Reopening Taskforce, DJ has helped my Administration in countless ways. I cannot thank him enough for his years of service — and look forward to many more at the Department of Insurance.”
“It has been a special privilege and honor to serve as Governor Sununu’s Policy Director the last four years,” Bettencourt said. “Thanks to his leadership, I have been fortunate to contribute to many great and enduring accomplishments during a period of great consequence for New Hampshire. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our state as the Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Insurance.”
First entered NH government in 2004 at the age of 20
According to the official announcement, Mr. Bettencourt was first elected to the State Legislature in 2004 at the age of 20. Six years later, following the 2010 elections, he was named as the nation’s youngest House Majority Leader, and the youngest in New Hampshire history.
“My experiences in the Governor’s Office, as well as eight years in the legislature and time in the private and nonprofit sectors, have prepared me well for this exciting new opportunity,” he said. “I want to thank Commissioner Nicolopoulos and Governor Sununu for their nomination and approval of me to this post. I very much look forward to working with the dedicated employees of the Department of Insurance.”
