Kipper to Lead Oregon Insurance Division

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has named Scott Kipper administrator of its Insurance Division, DCBS Director Cory Streisinger announced. Kipper replaces Joel Ario, who left in July to become insurance commissioner of Pennsylvania.

Kipper, 50, is deputy commissioner, 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 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 (AHIP), 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 (NAIC) and spent 10 years in Wyoming state government and industry, including serving as legislative liaison for the Department of Insurance.

Kipper’s appointment is effective Dec. 27.

In his new role, Kipper will lead the 90-employee Insurance Division, which helps to ensure the financial soundness of insurers, the fair treatment of consumers, and the affordability and availability of insurance products in Oregon. The division accomplishes this by licensing insurance companies and producers; reviewing insurance products and premium rates; monitoring insurer solvency; enforcing insurance laws; helping to resolve consumer complaints; advocating for reform to address consumer problems; and educating the public about insurance issues.