Excellus BCBS Board of Directors appoints James Reed President and CEO-elect to succeed CEO Christopher Booth in 2021

Posted on June 24, 2020

Barry Thornton promoted to COO, Melissa Gardner promoted to EVP

ROCHESTER, NY – The board of directors for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and its parent company The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Inc., voted today to name James Reed president and CEO-elect as of July 1, 2020.

Reed will succeed President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher C. Booth who announced he will retire on May 1, 2021. Today’s announcement is part of a planned succession for executive leadership of the $6 billion non-profit health plan, headquartered in upstate New York.

“Jim brings more than two decades of successful leadership within the organization to his new role and has been instrumental in helping shape the future of the company in today’s fast-changing and dynamic health insurance industry.” said Marianne Gaige, chairwoman of the board of directors. “Success starts with having the right people in the right roles. Jim is strategic in his approach, has a strong sense of mission and brings a wide array of experience to the job.”

The board today approved the promotion of Barry Thornton from executive vice-president to chief operating officer. Melissa Gardner is being promoted from senior vice-president to executive vice-president of strategic business programs.

“Our focus remains on our organization’s primary mission of providing access to affordable, high-quality health care to as many people as possible,” Reed said. “As a locally based health plan, we have strong partnerships with those who provide care and those who pay for it and we want to build on that going forward.”

Reed joined Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in January 1996. Most recently, he served as executive vice-president of marketing and sales, and as regional president in the Central New York market. His responsibilities included line of business oversight and all marketing and sales functions for the commercial group markets, retail markets, Univera Healthcare, and Lifetime Benefit Solutions (LBS). He also has oversight of the Health Care and Network Management division

Over the course of his career, Reed has been involved in the community through various non-profit organizations. Reed serves on the board of directors for Centerstate CEO, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and HealtheConnections.

Reed earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and his master’s degree in business administration from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

Reed and his wife reside in Skaneateles, New York and have three children.

 

-30- 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 3,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.

 

Other Member News

June 20, 2025

Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to Host Penguin Palooza! Event

Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy an incredible array of fun activities all day long.

Oswego Health
June 18, 2025

Oswego Health Foundation to Host 10th Annual For Your Health 5K and Wellness Event – A Family-Friendly Celebration of Community Wellness Presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Constellation

This milestone year marks a decade of bringing the community together to celebrate wellness, fitness, and the importance of local healthcare.

SODS North Syracuse
June 16, 2025

Specialists One Day Surgery Center Announces Key Clinical Leadership Promotions

These advancements recognize the exceptional contributions and ongoing commitment of our team members as we continue to grow and evolve as a leader in outpatient surgical care.

Oswego Health
June 12, 2025

The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Observes Wound Care Awareness Week

The Center’s 2025 outreach campaign, Come Heal With Us, targets underserved populations, emphasizing that early detection of chronic wounds saves limbs and lives.

Bowers CPAs
June 12, 2025

Bowers CPAs & Advisors Creates New Role to Lead Employee Development; Welcomes Manager of Learning and Professional Development

Campbell is an accomplished workforce management professional with a distinguished track record.

Scarecrow Scuttle logo
June 11, 2025

Scarecrow Scuttle 10K, 5K & Family Fun Run

Timed by Elitefeats, 10K and 5K racers get an event t-shirt with their registration fee.

jimmy b
June 9, 2025

Stark Tech Supports the Jim Boeheim "Legacy" Mural

The design shows Boeheim with both arms raised high in triumph, alongside other iconic depictions of him coaching through the years

Maria Zumpano Withrow
June 2, 2025

New Senior Counsel Brings Accounting, Business and Tax Background to Harris Beach Murtha’s Corporate Practice Group

Drawing from her extensive experience in accounting, business and law, Maria takes a holistic, innovative approach to planning and problem-solving.

new investors graphic
May 29, 2025

New Investors-CEO Insights June 2025

CenterState CEO wishes to recognize the members who have recently joined as Investors.