Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City President and CEO David Gentile is retiring, the company announced Monday.
Gentile worked with the insurance company for more than 23 years and took the helm as CEO in December 2010, just before President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. He led Blue Cross through one of the most tumultuous times in industry history.
A company spokesman said Gentile had been experiencing some health issues related to back pain and would take the opportunity to focus on his health.
“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 BlueKC through a time of tumultuous change,” Gentile said in a statement. “I am also proud to have played a substantial part in the initiative to improve health care 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. I’m confident the organization has a firm foundation to grow and thrive as the health care industry and Kansas City community continue to adapt to new national care standards.”
Gentile was included among the Kansas City Business Journal‘s Power 100, a feature profiling the most influential leaders in the Kansas City metro area.
Date: August 25, 2014