Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Announces Retirement of President and CEO David Gentile

Media Contact:
Kelly Cannon
Kelly.Cannon@BlueKC.com
W: 816-395-3711, C: 816-686-3842

Kansas City, MO.—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) today announced the retirement of its president and chief executive officer, David Gentile, due to recent bouts with back-related health problems. Danette Wilson has been named interim president and CEO. Wilson served as group executive, external operations and chief marketing executive, responsible for Integrated Health Services, Wellness Solutions, Marketing, Sales, Underwriting and Ancillary Products. She has more than 25 years of service with Blue KC.

Appointed president and CEO in December of 2010, Gentile served the organization in various capacities for more than 23 years. Gentile led the organization through dramatic changes arising from the Affordable Care Act, including strategically focusing on improving the quality and access to care for Blue KC members in Kansas City, as well as improving the well-being of the community as a whole. Under his leadership, the company received the J.D. Power and Associates award for "Highest Member Satisfaction" in both 2012 and 2013, and was named a best company to work for by Ingram's Magazine in 2012.

"I am honored to have been part of this organization for more than 23 years, been part of the leadership of the Blue Cross Blue Shield system for more than 33 years, and to have led Blue KC through a time of tumultuous change. I am also proud to have played a substantial part in the initiative to improve healthcare quality and access to help people live healthier lives. Now, I am retiring early so I can focus on my own health and spend more time with my family," Gentile said. "I'm confident the organization has a firm foundation to grow and thrive as the healthcare industry and Kansas City community continue to adapt to new national care standards."

"On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank David for his service and commitment to Blue KC and our members," said Tom McCullough, chairman of the board of directors. "His leadership and accomplishments have made a positive, lasting impact on the organization."

A national search for a new president and CEO is underway, led by the Governance Committee of the board of directors.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the only not-for-profit commercial health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provides health coverage services to more than one million residents in the greater Kansas City area, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and 30 counties in Northwest Missouri. Our mission: to use our role as the area's leading health insurer to provide affordable access to health care and to improve the health and wellness of our members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on the company, visit its website at BlueKC.com.