UnitedHealth Creates Office of the Chief Executive

   By Angela Chen 
 

UnitedHealth Group said Wednesday that the company is reorganizing its senior leadership into an Office of the Chief Executive, effective immediately.

The group will not include Gail K. Boudreaux, who stepped down as chief executive of the UnitedHealthcare insurance business.

The new office will include Chief Executive Stephen J. Hemsley; David S. Wichmann, who will serve as president and transition out of his current role as chief financial officer over the next 12 to 18 months; and Larry C. Renfro, who will become vice chairman but also remain chief executive of Optum, the company's health-services arm.

"We are bringing forward the next generation of leaders to work together, over the next five years," Mr. Hemsley said in a news release.

In addition, Marianne Short, executive vice president and chief legal officer, and Ellen Wilson, executive vice president for human capital, will be part of the office.

UnitedHealth, who is the biggest health insurer in the U.S., said company growth since its last reorganization--including 75,000 new employees--made the leadership change necessary.

As president, Mr. Wichmann will oversee domestic and international business and overall performance. Mr. Renfro will be responsible for strategic and client partnerships and business growth efforts.

In addition, Dirk McMahon, currently chief operating officer of Optum, will be executive vice president of enterprise operations for UnitedHealth Group.

Write to Angela Chen at [e-mail]

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