DETROIT, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Board of Directors announced today it has selected Daniel J. Loepp, senior vice president and chief of staff for the company, to succeed Blues president and CEO Richard E. Whitmer when Whitmer retires in mid-2006.
As CEO designate, Loepp will continue to serve as chief of staff until he assumes the president and CEO position after Whitmer’s retirement in mid-2006.
Loepp, 47, played a key role in the enactment of insurance market reform legislation in 2003, which has helped stabilize the small business health insurance market in the state. The legislation also maintained the Michigan Blues’ nonprofit status and preserved the company’s role as the insurer of last resort, which means it offers coverage to individuals year-round regardless of medical condition. He leads a broad range of areas at the company in addition to serving as chief of staff, including the governmental affairs, corporate communications, product development, the Blues’ Center for Health Care Quality, social mission and strategic planning areas.
Loepp joined the company in 2000 as vice president of governmental affairs. He serves on the Health Policy and Legislative Committee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, a policy-shaping body for the association of independent Blue Cross Blue Shield companies across the nation. (A bio follows.)
Today’s announcement marks the end of a search process that began last year.
Greg Sudderth, Blues board chairman, said that the selection process was thoughtful and deliberate. “We looked at a number of highly qualified candidates. The selection decision was not an easy one,” he said.
“The next 12 months may be a time of transition for the Blues, but not for our participating physicians and hospitals, group customers and individual members,” said Sudderth. “The Blues remain committed to providing affordable, accessible and quality heath care coverage as a nonprofit organization. A new CEO will not change that.”
“Dick Whitmer is a wonderful and talented CEO who has served in that position for 17 years. He shaped the Blues into the successful, competitive, customer-focused organization that it is today. We are fortunate to have had his leadership these past 17 years,” said Sudderth. “The board is confident that Dan Loepp will continue that great leadership.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides or administers health care benefits to more than 4.7 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue PPOs, Blue Choice Point of Service, Blue Care Network HMO, and Blue HSA(SM) plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsm.com/ .
Biographical Information Daniel J. Loepp CEO Designate, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Daniel J. Loepp is CEO Designate, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, to succeed Blues president and CEO Richard E. Whitmer when Whitmer retires in mid-2006.
As Blues’ Chief of Staff, Loepp leads Governmental Affairs, Corporate Communications, Product Development, Center for Health Care Quality, and Strategic Planning at the Michigan Blues.
He serves on the Health Policy and Legislative Committee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, a policy-shaping body for the association of independent Blue Cross Blue Shield companies across the nation.
Loepp joined the company in 2000 as vice president of governmental affairs. Previously, he worked at Karoub Associates, a lobbying and governmental consulting firm based in Lansing. He has an extensive background in government, serving as Chief of Staff for Michigan House Speaker Curtis Hertel. Prior to his work with the Speaker, Loepp served as CEO of the Service Station Dealers Association of Michigan. He also was Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley’s Director of Communication.
Prior to joining the Blues, Loepp authored a book, “Sharing the Balance of Power - An Examination of Shared Power in the Michigan House of Representatives 1993-1994,” published by University of Michigan Press, which was referenced during the 2002 50-50 split in the U.S. Senate.
Loepp earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and master’s degree in political communication from Wayne State University.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
CONTACT: Helen Stojic of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,+1-313-225-8113
Web site: http://www.bcbsm.com/