Understanding the Blue Cross Blue Shield System
The Blue Cross Blue Shield network represents one of America’s most extensive healthcare insurance frameworks, encompassing more than 30 independent and locally operated companies. While these organizations share unified branding and licensing agreements through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, each affiliate maintains its operational independence with separate management structures, strategic operations, and distinct market territories.
The ownership landscape of BCBS affiliates demonstrates significant diversity. Many plans operate under large parent organizations, including Health Care Service Corporation, Elevance Health, Highmark Health, and Cambia Health Solutions. Others maintain nonprofit status or function as independently operated entities. The branding approach varies across affiliates—some exclusively use “Blue Cross” or “Blue Shield” designations, while Hawaii’s affiliate, HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association), notably omits both terms from its official name.
BCBS Association National Leadership
Kim Keck has served as president and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association since 2021, bringing extensive industry experience to the national coordinating body. Her appointment followed a successful tenure as president and CEO at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities that prepared her for this pivotal national role.
Regional Leaders Across America
Southeast Region Leaders
BCBS of Alabama
Tim Vines has led the Alabama affiliate as president and CEO since 2018, culminating a remarkable 27-year career with the organization. His progressive leadership journey included serving as Chief Operating Officer, chief administrative officer, senior vice president of business operations, and senior vice president of health management, providing him comprehensive organizational knowledge.
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Curtis Barnett assumed the president and CEO position in 2017 after promotion from senior vice president of internal operations. He simultaneously served as president and CEO of the company’s subsidiary, USAble Corp, demonstrating his capacity to manage complex organizational structures.
Florida Blue
Pat Geraghty has guided Florida Blue as president and CEO since 2011, while also leading GuideWell, the health solutions parent company. His extensive background includes serving as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota and senior vice president at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Brian Pieninck, currently president and CEO of CareFirst BCBS, will transition to lead both GuideWell and Florida Blue in October.
BCBS of Louisiana
Bryan Camerlinck was appointed CEO in May 2024, promoted from his dual role as COO and CFO. His professional background includes multiple leadership positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City, bringing valuable multi-market perspective.
BCBS of Mississippi
Carol Pigott has demonstrated sustained leadership as president and CEO since at least 2012, maintaining organizational stability through industry transformations.
BCBS of North Carolina
Tunde Sotunde, MD, brings unique clinical expertise as president and CEO since June 2020. Before joining, he served as president of Medicaid in Anthem’s government business division while maintaining his practice as a pediatrician in Syracuse, New York.
BCBS of South Carolina
Michael Mizeur has led since 2022, building on a 24-year career that began in 1998. His progression through various leadership roles, including CFO and COO, provided comprehensive organizational understanding.
BCBS of Tennessee
J.D. Hickey has served as CEO since 2015, joining the organization in 2011 as CEO of BlueCare, the company’s Medicaid managed care subsidiary. His consulting background at McKinsey & Company brings strategic expertise.
BCBS of Texas
James Springfield became president in 2021, bringing diverse healthcare experience from Cancer Treatment Centers of America as COO, plus leadership roles at Optum, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, and Valley Baptist Health System.
Northeast Region Leaders
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
Brian Pieninck has led CareFirst, serving District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as president and CEO since 2018, promoted from COO. He will transition to GuideWell’s leadership in October, with CareFirst Vice President and CFO Ja’Ron Bridges serving as interim CEO.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut
Lou Gianquinto has served as president and general manager since 2020, bringing experience as president of Anthem’s Missouri Medicaid program and roles at WellCare.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Maine
Denise McDonough has led Maine operations since 2019, building on experience that began in 2010 as director of sales in New Hampshire, preceded by 13 years at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
BCBS of Massachusetts
Sarah Iselin became president and CEO in 2023, joining from Blue Shield of California where she served as COO and executive vice president.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield New Hampshire
Maria Proulx has led since 2022, promoted from regional vice president of sales. Her background includes practicing law before entering healthcare leadership.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Gary St. Hilaire assumed leadership in 2020, bringing experience from Capital Blue Cross in Pennsylvania where he served as president and CEO starting in 2012, plus CFO responsibilities at Capital and leadership roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts.
Multiple New York Affiliates
Mark Levy, MD, leads Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, bringing medical expertise alongside executive experience leading the company’s Medicaid division and serving as plan president for Amerigroup Minnesota.
Jessica Cox became Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield market president for Western and Northeastern New York in August 2024, leveraging over two decades at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield in multiple senior leadership roles.
James Reed has led Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield as president and CEO since 2021, building on a career that began in 1996 and included serving as executive vice president of marketing and sales and regional president for Central New York.
Capital Blue Cross (Pennsylvania)
Todd Shamash has served as president and CEO since 2020, promoted from senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. His experience spans leadership positions in Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Office, state insurance department, and Jefferson Health System.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Tom Doran serves as president of Highmark Health Plan, covering Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Delaware. He joined in 2017 as president of HM Insurance Group, added CFO responsibilities in 2019, and eventually transitioned to COO.
Independence Blue Cross (Pennsylvania)
Gregory Deavens has led since 2021, promoted from executive vice president, CFO, and treasurer. His background includes corporate controller and CFO roles at MassMutual. Kelly Munson, president and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas, will assume leadership of parent company Independence Health Group in October.
BCBS of Rhode Island
Martha Wofford has served as president and CEO since 2021, joining from DaVita kidney care provider as group vice president. Her extensive experience includes multiple top roles at Aetna and service in the Clinton administration.
BCBS Vermont
Don George has led since 2009, building on experience dating to 1993. He previously served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vermont Health Plan, the HMO subsidiary. Beth-Ann Roberts, president of Beth Israel Lahey Health Performance Network, will succeed him in January 2026.
Midwest Region Leaders
Anthem BCBS Indiana
Beth Keyser has led since 2020, bringing experience as president of Create health plans in New York City and multiple leadership roles at Healthways (now Tivity Health).
BCBS of Illinois
Brian Snell became president in 2025, culminating over three decades with the organization where he served as divisional SVP for Illinois group markets.
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cory Harris leads operations for Iowa and South Dakota as CEO since 2021, promoted from president and COO. He joined in 2011 and served as executive vice president and general counsel.
BCBS of Kansas
Matt All has served as president and CEO since 2018, joining the company in 2006. His unique background includes practicing law and serving as state assistant insurance commissioner.
BCBS of Kansas City
Erin Stucky has led since 2019, promoted from executive vice president for market innovation and business development after joining in 1997. Jenny Housley, serving as senior vice president and chief revenue officer, will succeed her in 2026.
Anthem BCBS Kentucky
Kennan Wethington has served as president since 2017, joining in 2003. He previously served as regional vice president of sales, bringing legal expertise as a practicing attorney.
BCBS of Michigan
Tricia Keith became president and CEO in 2025, promoted from EVP, COO, and president of emerging markets, building on experience since 2006.
BCBS of Minnesota
Dana Erickson, RN, has led since 2021, promoted from senior vice president. Her clinical background as registered nurse and respiratory therapist complements leadership experience at Univita Health and Optum.
Anthem BCBS Missouri
Stephanie Vojicic has served as president since 2021, progressing through various leadership roles during 26+ years with Anthem.
BCBS of Nebraska
Jeff Russell became president and CEO in June 2023, joining from Delta Dental of Iowa where he served as CEO since 2013.
BCBS of North Dakota
Dan Conrad has led since 2020, promoted from chief legal officer.
Anthem BCBS Ohio
Jane Peterson has served as president since 2021, promoted from regional vice president for Ohio sales, building on leadership roles since 2001.
BCBS of Oklahoma
Stephania Grober became president in May 2022, promoted from vice president after joining in 1997.
Anthem BCBS Wisconsin
Paul Nobile has led since 2016, promoted from regional vice president of sales and account management. His background includes leadership at Rush Prudential Health Plans, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
Western Region Leaders
Premera Blue Cross (Washington, Alaska)
Jeff Roe has served as president and CEO since 2014, building on experience since joining in 1996. He held leadership positions within employer and individual market segments before assuming top leadership.
BCBS of Arizona
Pam Kehaly has led since 2017, bringing experience as president of Anthem’s Western region and specialty business, plus leadership roles at Anthem Blue Cross California.
Anthem Blue Cross California
Beth Andersen has served as president since 2019, promoted from leading large group sales. Her background includes leadership positions at Optum and Aetna.
Blue Shield of California
Mike Stuart was appointed president and CEO in August 2025, promoted from CFO and previously senior vice president of finance.
Anthem BCBS Colorado
Matt Pickett became president in November 2023, joining from Holmes Murphy and Associates, a brokerage and consulting firm.
Anthem BCBS Georgia
Robert Bunch has led since January 2022, building on 20 years with Anthem. He most recently served as COO and vice president of Anthem national accounts.
Hawaii Medical Service Association
Mark Mugiishi, MD, has served as president and CEO since 2020, joining the organization in 1995. He previously served as chief medical officer and chief health officer, and co-founded the Endoscopy Institute of Hawaii and Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii.
Blue Cross of Idaho
Paul Zurlo became president and CEO in 2024, building on experience since 2016, most recently as president of health markets.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Mark Ruszczyk has served as president since 2021, joining from Kaiser Permanente’s mid-Atlantic division where he led marketing and sales.
BCBS of Montana
Lisa Kelley became president in 2024, promoted from general counsel since 2019.
Anthem BCBS Nevada
Mike Murphy has demonstrated sustained leadership as president since 2006, bringing experience from executive sales roles at UniCare and Kentucky and Indiana divisions.
BCBS of New Mexico
Janice Torrez has served as president since 2021, promoted from chief of staff and AVP of external affairs.
Regence BCBS of Oregon
Michael Cole became president in 2023, also leading Regence’s Washington health plan. He previously led Aetna’s North Atlantic commercial operations covering New England, New York/New Jersey, Keystone, and Capitol markets.
Triple-S Management (Puerto Rico)
Thurman Justice has served as president and CEO since February 2024. The GuideWell subsidiary benefits from his experience, having joined Florida Blue and GuideWell as CFO in 2019.
Regence BCBS of Utah
Jim Guemple became market president in January 2024, joining from UnitedHealthcare’s West region where he served as regional vice president of key accounts.
Anthem BCBS Virginia
Monica Schmude has served as president since April 2023, bringing 13 years of Cigna experience where she led the mid-Atlantic commercial market.
Regence Blue Shield (Washington)
Michael Cole became president in 2025, concurrently leading Regence Oregon operations.
Highmark BCBS Delaware
Timothy Vessel was appointed president in October 2025, bringing over 30 years of Cigna experience, most recently as general manager of South Texas and Louisiana markets.
Highmark BCBS West Virginia
James Fawcett has led since 2016, building on 30+ years with Highmark including leadership positions in Delaware and Pennsylvania markets. Jay Sheehy will succeed him in January 2026.
BCBS of Wyoming
Diane Gore has served as president and CEO since 2019, building on experience since 1985. Her progressive career included CFO, COO, and executive vice president roles.
Parent Organization Structure
The Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate system demonstrates complex ownership patterns through major parent organizations. Health Care Service Corporation oversees multiple state plans, while Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) manages extensive Anthem-branded operations across numerous states. Highmark Health operates affiliates in the Mid-Atlantic region, and Cambia Health Solutions administers Regence-branded plans across the Pacific Northwest. This parent company structure enables operational efficiencies while maintaining local market responsiveness.
The Future of BCBS Leadership
Several announced leadership transitions demonstrate ongoing evolution within the BCBS system. Notable upcoming changes include Beth-Ann Roberts succeeding Don George at Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont in January 2026, Jenny Housley succeeding Erin Stucky at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City in 2026, and Jay Sheehy succeeding James Fawcett at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia in January 2026. These transitions ensure leadership continuity while bringing fresh perspectives to established organizations.
The BCBS affiliate network continues evolving under diverse leadership bringing varied backgrounds from clinical medicine, legal practice, consulting, and comprehensive healthcare operations. This leadership diversity strengthens the system’s capability to address complex healthcare challenges while maintaining focus on member service and community health outcomes.
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