PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty announced key organizational changes at the executive level. These changes, which position Independence for continued growth and diversification by optimizing its leadership structure and operating model, include the promotions of:
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Yvette Bright, who will expand her current role as executive vice president and also become chief operating officer. In this newly created role, Bright will continue to report to Hilferty, and will lead the transformation of the company's business model and provide oversight to the company's group and individual lines of business, including Medicare, as well as Independence's diversified lines of business. She will also continue her leadership of Service Operations and Business Technology Services. Bright is currently executive vice president and chief transformation officer, a role she has held since 2012.
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Brian Lobley, who will expand his role as senior vice president and also become president, Commercial and Consumer Markets, reporting to Bright. In this role, Lobley will have responsibility for all Commercial and Consumer health business, including Medicare, and he will oversee sales and marketing and other key functions supporting these lines of business. Lobley is currently senior vice president of marketing and consumer business, a role he has held since 2012.
- Mike Sullivan, whowill become senior vice president and president ofDiversified Businesses. Sullivan, who will also report to Bright, will lead the P &L of subsidiary businesses, including AmeriHealth Administrators, AmeriHealth Casualty, and AmeriHealth New Jersey. Sullivan will also oversee ancillary businesses including specialty products such as vision and dental. Sullivan joined Independence in July as president of AmeriHealth Administrators.
In addition, Richard Neeson will take on a new role as executive vice president and chief development & innovation officer. For more than 25 years Neeson has served Independence in various roles, most recently as executive vice president and president of expanding markets, which included oversight for the three subsidiaries that will now report to Mike Sullivan.
"Health care is rapidly changing. The road ahead will require us to evolve and be agile while staying true to our mission – enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve," said Hilferty. "I am confident that these organizational changes will help position Independence for the next level of growth, innovation, and leadership in transforming health care."
These changes are effective January 1, 2016.
In addition, Chris Cashman, executive vice president and president of Commercial Markets, and Linda Taylor, senior vice president and chief sales executive, will be retiring from Independence. Cashman, whose retirement is effective December 31, joined the company in 1997 and played a pivotal role in the growth of Independence and its subsidiaries as a national, diversified health care company. Taylor, who leaves the company in March of 2016, has had a 20-plus-year career with Independence. During her tenure Taylor grew the PA Commercial business and strengthened the company's National Accounts and Small Group businesses.
"I've always believed that being an effective leader means surrounding yourself with a strong team. Chris and Linda have been extraordinary colleagues over the past two decades, and I thank them for helping to make Independence the vibrant and growing company that it is today," added Hilferty.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 10 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For nearly 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.