Heyward Donigan Named CEO of ValueOptions®

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Sep 13, 2010, 03:36 ET

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health care company, announced today that Heyward Donigan will succeed Barbara Hill as the company's next Chief Executive Officer.

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"I am very excited to take the helm at ValueOptions®," Donigan said. "This company has an outstanding reputation among behavioral health care companies for its operational excellence in delivering customized programs to the people it serves. I look forward to joining the team."

Since 2003, Donigan has served as Executive Vice President of Premera Blue Cross, the largest insurer in Washington and Alaska with more than $3 billion in annual revenue. While Donigan was at Premera, the company achieved record profit and membership levels during five of the past seven years. Prior to Premera, Donigan was the Senior Vice President of Service Operations at CIGNA Healthcare where she managed a staff of 12,000 associates and a budget of $850 million. Prior to that, she served as CIGNA's President of the Southeast region. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in English and received her Master of Public Administration in Health Care Finance from New York University.

"I am proud of what we have achieved at ValueOptions®," said Dr. Ronald I. Dozoretz, chairman of the board and founder of the company. "ValueOptions® is very excited to have Heyward Donigan lead this next chapter in the company's history."

Robert J. Hurst, Managing Director of Crestview Partners, said, "We feel fortunate to add such a bright, thoughtful and energetic leader to the company, and we are confident that Heyward will drive the growth and future success of ValueOptions®." Hurst added: "We also want to thank Barbara Hill for her outstanding contributions at ValueOptions over the past five years and her keen focus on building the company's strong foundation. We wish her well in her new endeavors."

Hill will continue as an advisor to the company until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition for the company's clients, members and employees.

About ValueOptions®, Inc.

ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, provides services to more than 23 million individuals through a variety of contracts with state and county agencies and, additionally, with health plans and employers. ValueOptions® specializes in management for all behavioral health issues and promotes health and wellness through innovative programs. The mission of ValueOptions is to improve the health and wellness for the people it serves.

www.ValueOptions.com

SOURCE ValueOptions, Inc.