The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services announced Nov. 13 that Scott Kipper will take on the role of Insurance Division Administrator effective Dec. 27. Kipper replaces Joel Ario, who left in July to become insurance commissioner of Pennsylvania.

“Scott Kipper has a track record of bringing diverse parties together and reaching consensus on challenging issues,” said DCBS Director Cory Streisinger who serves as Oregon’s insurance commissioner. “His ability to solve problems, his deep understanding of insurance issues, and his solid management experience will serve Oregon’s insurance industry and consumers well.”

Kipper, 50, is deputy commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance for the Louisiana Department of Insurance, where he directs regulation and enforcement of health insurance laws in the state. His accomplishments in Louisiana include extensive coalition building to create, implement, and enforce emergency rules to ensure continuation of health insurance coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Kipper’s career has focused on insurance and regulatory issues. He served as senior regional director, state affairs, for America’s Health Insurance Plans, where he managed legislative and regulatory activities in eight states. As government relations manager for General Electric Capital Assurance Co., Kipper worked with state and federal agencies on legislation affecting the long-term care industry. He also worked as health analyst for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and spent 10 years in Wyoming state government and industry, including serving as legislative liaison for the Department of Insurance. Kipper has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wyoming.