Oregon's top insurance regulator, Joel Ario, 53, is leaving his post there to become Pennsylvania insurance commissioner, it was announced today.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell said his nominee for commissioner has collaborated well in Oregon with companies, agents and consumers to ensure consumers are protected, “while also preserving the flexibility insurers need to thrive in the fast-changing insurance marketplace.

Mr. Ario, the Oregon Insurance Division administrator, would succeed Diane Koken, who served three governors and was the longest serving commissioner in modern state history in addition to serving as president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

As an NAIC officer and active member, Mr. Ario served as the original point man in efforts to overhaul the market conduct system to better protect consumers and relieve insurance companies of the administrative burden of duplicative exams in the different states.

Longtime NAIC observers cannot recall a commissioner going directly from one state to another, although Ed Muhl and Al Iuppa served in top roles in New York and Maryland and Nevada and Maine, respectively.

“You figure you go from a state like Oregon, where there are few if any large domiciled companies, to Pennsylvania, where there are many, it has to be more of an exciting challenge,” said one observer.

Ms. Koken was appointed by Republican Gov. Tom Ridge and stayed on when the governorship changed parties last November at the request of the governor while her successor was sought.

She left earlier this year and was replaced on an interim basis by Randy Rohrbaugh.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Ario was executive director of the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, or OSPIRG, where he led successful legislative and ballot campaigns for pollution prevention, recycling and campaign finance reforms.

“This is a great opportunity for Joel but a significant loss for Oregon,” said Cory Streisinger, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, which contains the insurance division.

“Joel is respected throughout the insurance industry and by advocates for consumer interests, and for good reason–he's been a true leader and reformer on a range of insurance issues that affect all Oregonians,” said Mr. Streisinger.

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Oregon Insurance Regulator Leaves For Pennsylvania

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