Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida CEO, Robert I. Lufrano, MD, Announces His Retirement

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Robert I. Lufrano, chairman and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has announced his intent to retire this year.

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Dr. Lufrano has served as chairman and CEO since 2004 and has been with BCBSF since 1990. Dr. Lufrano's retirement will become effective after the appointment of the new CEO and he will continue as board chairman through a transition period. The BCBSF board of directors has retained an executive search firm to assist with the CEO process to assess internal and external candidates.

"Dr. Lufrano has successfully led the organization through significant changes in the health care industry," said Tracy Leinbach, lead director of the board. "Under his exceptional, values-based leadership, BCBSF has solidified market leadership in Florida now serving nearly 4 million members, improved the health and well-being of our communities and positioned itself to serve Floridians for many years to come."  

Dr. Lufrano is a member of the board of directors of America's Health Insurance Plans, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, The Florida Council of 100, the National Institute for Health Care Management, Prime Therapeutics LLC, and the board of trustees for the University of North Florida Foundation.

In related BCBSF management news, Chris Doerr, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer, had previously (in 2010) informed the board of his intent to retire in 2011. In his current role, Mr. Doerr has overall responsibility for finance, accounting, actuarial, underwriting, corporate development, corporate tax, treasury and investment portfolios. "During his tenure as CFO, Chris has provided uncommon vision, leadership and guidance for the company and its subsidiaries," said Dr. Lufrano.

Mr. Doerr served in several senior leadership positions at CIGNA prior to joining BCBSF. Doerr is chairman of the boards for Florida Combined Life Insurance Co. Inc. and Diversified Health Services Inc. He also serves as director of the board for Life and Specialty Ventures, LLC and the Florida Health Care Plan Inc.

Both executives have discussed their retirement plans with the BCBSF board of directors and have received their full support.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is a leader in Florida's health industry. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its website at www.bcbsfl.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida