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 angela.chen@wsj.com
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