Joel S. Ario, Pennsylvania’s acting insurance commissioner, was appointed insurance commissioner by a unanimous state senate vote July 3. Gov. Ed Rendell first nominated Ario for the position in June 2007.

“Joel Ario is a highly qualified and seasoned administrator with a strong and proven record of fighting to protect the rights and needs of consumers,” Rendell said in June 2007.

Ario was Oregon’s chief insurance regulator before coming to Pennsylvania. Ario is chair of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) health committee and was chair of the NAIC market regulation and consumer affairs committee from 2001 to 2004.

Ario holds degrees from Harvard Law School, Harvard Divinity School and St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.