Curtis Barnett has been named by the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield board of directors to succeed CEO Mark White, the company announced Monday.
White will retire at the end of 2016, and the board named Barnett its CEO-elect. Barnett, who’s now serving as the company’s senior vice president of external operations, will assume his new role on Jan. 1, 2017, and will report directly to White until then.
Board Chair Robert Shoptaw, a former Arkansas Blue Cross CEO, said the naming of Barnett to succeed White is part of the company’s ongoing succession planning for executive retirements.
“Curtis has extensive experience in the operations of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield,” Shoptaw said in a statement. “Curtis is an innovative leader who will rise to the challenge as the health care industry faces continued transformation. Under his leadership, Arkansas Blue Cross will continue our work to lower the cost of health care, strengthen relationships with all of our stakeholders, and reshape the health insurance industry in Arkansas and throughout the country. And, most importantly, Curtis is committed to improving the health insurance experience for our members.”
Barnett, 53, has served in his current role since 2014. He joined Arkansas Blue Cross in 1993 as a primary care network plan manager. He also has served as president and CEO of USAble Corp. and vice president of operations for BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas.
A native of Sherwood, Barnett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, and he is a graduate of the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management’s Advanced Executive Program. Barnett also has earned several professional designations, including the Certified Employee Benefits Specialists (CEBS) and the Professional Academy of Healthcare Management (PAHM).
Date: December 15, 2015