Aetna senior VP named new BCBSRI CEO

KIM KECK has been appointed the new CEO and president of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. / COURTESY BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND
KIM KECK has been appointed the new CEO and president of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. / COURTESY BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF RHODE ISLAND

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island native Kim Keck, Aetna Inc.’s senior vice president, has been appointed CEO and president of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, succeeding Peter Andruszkiewicz.

BCBSRI announced the appointment of Keck, a health insurance industry veteran, on Thursday. She will start her new position next month.

She has worked for Aetna for more than 25 years, and recently was involved with Aetna’s anticipated acquisition of Humana Inc.

“Kim’s strong industry experience, leadership skills and strategic thinking made her the clear choice as Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s next president and CEO. We’re pleased to bring her back to Rhode Island in this critical role,” Randy Wyrofsky, BCBSRI board chair, said in a statement. “Kim fully supports our mission to provide Rhode Islanders with access to affordable, high-quality health care. Her ability to build relationships and plan for the future will help position Blue Cross for continued growth and long-term success.”

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During her time at Aetna, Keck held several leadership roles, such as president of the Northeast region, interim president of the Southeast region, head of enterprise strategy and mergers and acquisitions integration, and vice president of finance. She also served as chief of staff to Aetna’s former chairman, CEO and president, Ronald A. Williams.

Before joining Aetna, Keck, who is from Cumberland, was an analyst with Fidelity Investments in Boston.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and an MBA in finance from the University of Connecticut.

“I am excited to have this opportunity at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and to work with the physicians, hospitals and other health care stakeholders in Rhode Island to improve the health of the community,” Keck said. “To succeed in the future, Blue Cross must also transform the members’ experience to meet their needs and expectations by providing simple and affordable options in the market.”

Keck will be the seventh CEO and president of the 77-year-old company.

John Maguire, vice chair of the board and chair of the search committee, said members worked with national search firm Spencer Stuart to find the next CEO for BCBSRI.
“We are delighted that someone of Kim’s character and experience will succeed Peter as president and CEO of Blue Cross. Kim has the management qualities to execute against the long-term strategic plan the board approved in the fall of 2014,” Maguire said.

Andruszkiewicz announced in October that he would retire May 1 after leading the insurer since 2011.

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