Montanaro won’t seek re-election as BCBSRI chair

PROVIDENCE – Frank J. Montanaro will not seek re-election to his post as chairman of the board of directors of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the health insurer announced this evening.
Montanaro has been a member of the board since 1991 and chairman since 2004. He will leave BCBSRI’s board when his term expires on April 30.
“I want to thank Frank for everything he’s done for BCBSRI,” James E. Purcell, the health insurer’s president and CEO, said in a 6 p.m. statement. “He always has fought for the people of Rhode Island and their families. … I am so proud to have had Frank serve as chairman of the board.”
“My decision comes after a great deal of reflection,” said Montanaro. “It is my belief that BCBSRI has never been in better hands.”
The board of directors will now begin the process of selecting a new chairman, who is expected to be in place by the time Montanaro retires, the company said.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, founded in 1939 as the Hospital Service Corporation of Rhode Island, is a nonprofit health insurance company insuring more than 670,000 individuals statewide. BCBSRI is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information is available at www.bcbsri.com.