The Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation has announced leadership changes.
DWC is launching a new program area, AI Innovation and Integration, focused on using AI in a responsible, mission-driven manner to modernize processes, reduce administrative burden, and assess how system participants use AI services. Former DWC chief administrative law judge Allen Craddock will serve as deputy commissioner in this new area. Craddock brought a strong record of operational improvements to the hearing and will bring a similar focus on agency modernization. He is board certified in workers’ compensation law and practiced in the field for 15 years before joining DWC in 2013.
Gerri Thomas will now serve as the chief administrative law judge for DWC hearings. The program oversees the workers’ compensation dispute resolution process, including benefit review conferences, contested case hearings and appeals panel reviews.
Thomas joined DWC in 2012 and serves as Regional Director for the Northern and Western Regions. Her legal, clinical and operational background gives her a deep understanding of dispute resolution and systems needs.
Under the leadership of General Counsel Kara Mace, DWC reorganized Legal, Communications and External Relations Services into Legal and Communications Services. The program provides legal services, editorial support, strategic communications, public outreach and legislative coordination to ensure DWC’s operations, messaging and stakeholder engagement are accurate, consistent and effective. Mitchell Koers joins the team as director of government relations, where he will oversee legislative activities and stakeholder outreach.
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