General News
Published May 11, 2021
Premera Blue Cross’ Sales and Marketing organization recently announced changes in leadership that will occur gradually over the coming months.
After 12 years with Premera and an impressive career spanning the industry, Jim Messina, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and the company’s Chief Operating Officer, has announced his retirement effective mid-September. Under his eight years
as leader of Sales and Marketing, the company has grown by 800,000 members to over 2.5M.
Beginning in September, Bill Akers will assume the role of EVP of Sales and Marketing. A 17-year Premera veteran with 30 years of healthcare experience across the Northwest, Akers currently serves as Senior Vice President/General Manager for the Washington
Market, as well as Product and Marketing Solutions.
As Akers transitions this fall into Premera’s executive leadership, Jim Havens will assume the position of Senior Vice President/General Manager for the Washington market, and Marketing Communications. Havens currently serves the company as Senior Vice
President Individual and Senior Markets, and Marketing Communications. He has led Individual and Senior Markets for nine years and has more than 25 years of insurance experience in the Northwest.
We are very proud of Premera’s leadership depth, and its ability to maintain continuity. Steady leadership will be key to our continued partnership with each of you to improve lives by making healthcare work better.
These recent announcements highlight leadership depth within Premera and the company’s ability to maintain continuity and focus on the customer as the Northwest Marketplace continues to endure significant change.