INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) announced today that Nicholas (Nick) Brecker has been named Specialty Market president for California Local Group, National Accounts, Consumer Business and UniCare business segments. In addition, Patrick (Pat) Murphy has been named president and general manager of Life and Disability.
Brecker was the previous president and general manager of WellPoint's Life and Disability companies. Since joining WellPoint in 2004, he has led the revitalization of the company's Life and Disability business. He directed the development and implementation of a strategy to drive profitable growth through new products, pricing and operations to distinguish WellPoint from the competition. This included the development of a strategy to provide customers with productivity solutions, products and services that provide "more than just a benefits check" and help members get back to work, back to health and back to life. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading Specialty's growth in the following markets: California Local Group, National Accounts, Consumer Business and UniCare.
"Nick has done a terrific job with leading our Life and Disability business. Moreover, he was the driving force behind the creation and launch of products such as Productivity Solutions, our innovative integrated medical and disability care management program," said Steve Martenet, president and general manager of WellPoint's Specialty Business. "Under his leadership, we built a strong team and a solid strategy that differentiates us from our competitors. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the profitable growth of all Specialty products in many of WellPoint's largest markets."
Murphy, who will now be at the helm of WellPoint's Life and Disability companies, will be responsible for leading the organization towards its operating gain and membership goals, which includes accountability for product development, underwriting, pricing, quoting and operations (which includes enrollment/billing, claims and customer service) functions.
"Pat has more than 15 years of experience and is a proven leader who excels at getting things done," said Martenet. "His leadership, financial acumen and process improvement skills are great additions to an already strong Life and Disability team. His depth and breadth of knowledge and experience will be great assets to our area and will ensure the continued success of our Life and Disability business."
Murphy has been with WellPoint for more than five years and has served in various finance leadership roles that include financial planning, reporting and analysis for the Executive Leadership Team and board of directors, financial controls, and process improvements. He most recently served as the functional chief financial officer (CFO) for the Information Technology team. While at WellPoint, Pat was recognized by Treasury & Risk magazine for his responsibilities and contributions. Previously, Pat worked at Eli Lilly & Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he spent a considerable about of time servicing its life insurance clients.
Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University where he double majored in accounting and finance. He also received his Certified Public Accountant designation. Pat currently serves in leadership roles for two separate non-profit organizations and is a member of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class of XXXV. He works out of WellPoint's Indianapolis, Indiana office.
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint works to simplify the connection between Health, Care and Value. We help to improve the health of our communities, deliver better care to members, and provide greater value to our customers and shareholders. WellPoint is the nation's largest health benefits company in terms of medical enrollment, with more than 33 million members in its affiliated health plans, and a total of more than 69 million individuals served through all subsidiaries. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint serves members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), and Wisconsin. In a majority of these service areas, WellPoint does business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Empire Blue Cross (in the New York service areas). WellPoint also serves customers throughout the country as UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.
SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.