K Keen has been appointed Oregon’s insurance commissioner, after serving as acting commissioner since June. Keen previously served for five years as deputy insurance commissioner and is also administrator of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. DCBS Director Sean O’Day confirmed last month that, delegated the responsibilities to Keen.
Under Keen’s tenure, the DFR was reaccredited by the NAIC for five years, confirming that Oregon’s regulatory standards meet national requirements. The accreditation follows a review of the DFR’s financial analysis and examination programs. The agency oversees 40 domestic and 1,507 foreign insurance companies in Oregon, which collectively wrote $24.5 billion in premiums in 2024, according to DCBS.
Keen has focused on consumer protection and financial stability at the DFR, addressing issues such as wildfire-related insurance risks. He has implemented legislation, including Senate Bills 85 and 829 (2025), to reduce community risks and explore reinsurance programs. Keen also emphasizes transparency in insurance rates to ensure consumers are well-informed.
Keen led the DFR through the 2026 health insurance rate review, navigating federal policy uncertainties and legal challenges while maintaining market stability. “I am proud to lead a team that is filled with caring and intelligent people who are dedicated to protecting consumers and working with the state’s insurance and financial services industries to find ways to help Oregonians fulfill their financial goals,” Keen said in a DCBS statement.
Keen has served at the DFR since 2012. He previously practiced law in Washington and earned his law degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland. His experience includes work with the Oregon Department of Justice, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge, and Portland State University’s Office of General Counsel.
