The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS)said it has picked a Louisiana regulator to be administrator of itsinsurance division, replacing Joel Ario, who left in July to becomePennsylvania insurance commissioner.

Selected for the post was Scott Kipper, 50, deputy commissioner,office of health insurance, for the Louisiana Department ofInsurance, where he directs regulation and enforcement of healthinsurance laws in the state. His appointment is effective Dec.27.

He previously served as senior regional director, state affairs,for America's Health Insurance Plans, where he managed legislativeand regulatory activities in eight states.

The department said Mr. Kipper had also been employed asgovernment relations manager for General Electric Capital AssuranceCo., working with state and federal agencies on legislationaffecting the long-term care industry.

In addition, he worked as health analyst for the NationalAssociation of Insurance Commissioners and spent 10 years inWyoming state government and industry, including serving aslegislative liaison for the Department of Insurance.

“Scott Kipper has a track record of bringing diverse partiestogether and reaching consensus on challenging issues,” DCBSDirector Cory Streisinger, who also serves as the state's insurancecommissioner, said in a statement.

Mr. Kipper will lead the 90-employee insurance division thatlicenses insurance companies and producers; reviews insuranceproducts and premium rates; monitors insurer solvency; enforcesinsurance laws; helps resolve consumer complaints; advocates forreform to address consumer problems; and educates the public aboutinsurance issues.