Neal T. Gooch has been appointed Acting Commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department (“UID”).  Mr. Gooch replaces former Commissioner D. Kent Michie, who has retired after holding the position for five years.  Mr. Gooch has served as Deputy Commissioner of the UID since 1997.  Before joining the UID, Mr. Gooch held a number of posts at the Utah Attorney General’s office, including general counsel to the Utah Insurance Commissioner from 1986 to 1997.  A native of Southeastern Idaho, Mr. Gooch earned his J.D. from Potomac School of Law in Washington, D.C.