BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tenn., appointed J.D. Hickey executive vice president and chief operating officer. Effective May 1, Hickey will succeed Bill Gracey, president and chief executive officer elect.
Hickey joined BlueCross in March 2011 as senior vice president, as well as president and CEO of Volunteer State Health Plan, BlueCross' Medicaid managed care organization. Eight months later, he took on increasing corporate responsibilities including oversight of health care services for the enterprise.
"Over the past year, J.D. has demonstrated an incredible grasp of our organization and our changing market dynamics," Gracey said."
In other industry news:
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y., promoted Kevin Benjamin to vice president, Career Agency Distribution effective April 1. In addition to his current responsibilities, Benjamin will now lead the General Agency Regional Vice Presidents, Financial Representative Recruiting, Training and Middle Management teams. He will continue to report to Don Sullivan, senior vice president and head of Agency Distribution, and Park Avenue Securities.
Benjamin joined Guardian in 2009 as field vice president to lead the New Agency Recruiting and Integration Team. In 39 months his team recruited 31 agency managers, improved numerous systems, and led new agencies to record levels of recruiting and production success.
Richard Ellery, a 15-year veteran of OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. will take over as president of OneAmerica Securities Inc. on May 1. Ellery replaces Nick Filing, who has led OneAmerica Securities since 2004.
Ellery most recently served as associate general counsel for OneAmerica and chief counsel for OneAmerica Securities. As president, he will report directly to Mark Wilkerson, president of individual life and financial services for the OneAmerica companies. Ellery also is secretary and chief compliance officer for OneAmerica Funds Inc. and will retain those responsibilities.
Filing will continue in his role as chairman of the board for OneAmerica Securities.
