Calvin Anderson
Karen Ward
Jim Srite
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Calvin Anderson to chief of staff and senior vice president of corporate affairs.
In these roles, Mr. Anderson will oversee federal and state government relations, the Office of Health Care Reform, the company’s newly formed Health Institute and community relations.
“Calvin’s leadership in our company has been critical to its success and will continue to be as we navigate through a changing health care landscape,” said Vicky Gregg, CEO for BlueCross. “I am sure his experience and skills will help make this transition a smooth and beneficial one for our customers, our partners and our employees.”
Prior to joining BlueCross, Mr. Anderson was a senior staff member to U.S. Sen. Jim Sasser of Tennessee from 1985-1994. Early in his career, he held sales and management positions in the insurance industry with Prudential Insurance Co. and Universal Life Insurance Co.
On the civic front, Mr. Anderson has served on the board of directors in a number of business and non-profit organizations, including the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce and Memphis In May International Festival. Additionally, he has been a member of the Memphis Bio-Works Foundation Board and Leadership Memphis, where he filled the roles of alumni president, chairman of the admissions committee and was on the board of trustees. Currently, Mr. Anderson serves on the board of WKNO-TV and as past chairman of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.
At the state level, Mr. Anderson was a member of the State Election Commission from 1995-2007. He served on the State Small Group Health Insurance Advisory Committee for the Department of Insurance in 1998 and the State TennCare Advisory Committee in 2002. In 2006 and 2007, he sat on the board of directors of Tennessee Tomorrow.
On the national scene, Mr. Anderson represents BlueCross as a congressional relations coordinator with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and on America’s Health Insurance Plans Policy Committee and Federal Government Relations Group. He also serves on the Health Industry Council for District Eight of the Federal Reserve.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, Jim Srite, FSA, has been promoted to senior vice president, along with his duties as chief actuary, by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
“Jim has one of the brightest minds in our company. This promotion reflects the deep trust we have in him for leading this critical area of our business,” said BlueCross Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Giblin. “Jim has proven he has the talent and judgment to help us succeed in this changing marketplace.”
Mr. Srite joined BlueCross in 2007 as vice president and chief actuary, with responsibilities for assessing the financial impact of risks for the health plan, which insures more than three million members.
Prior to BlueCross, Mr. Srite served as senior vice president of data analysis for Fortis Insurance in Milwaukee, as well as operating his own business. Previously, Mr. Srite worked for Provident Life and Accident Insurance Co. in Chattanooga and John Alden Life Insurance Co. in Miami, where he served as vice president and group actuary.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has elevated Karen Ward to senior vice president and chief human resources officer.
In this new role, Ms. Ward is responsible for properties and corporate services, in addition to human resources functions across all lines of business for the company, which employs 5,400 workers across the state.
“Karen is a proven leader whose expertise and concern for our employees make her superbly suited to manage the talent within our organization and harness those resources to the benefit of our members,” said Vicky Gregg, CEO for BlueCross.
Ms. Ward joined BlueCross BlueShield of Memphis in 1983, where she held primary responsibility for payroll and human resources. When the Memphis plan merged with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in 1998, she provided leadership for the integration and managed numerous corporate responsibilities including policies, communications and diversity initiatives.
Later, she served the company as director of business consulting for BlueCross. In that role, she managed a team of HR professionals who provided strategic consulting and performance management, as well as program and policy development for internal client groups. In 2010, Ms. Ward was promoted to vice president of human resources, overseeing organizational development, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition and training.
Ms. Ward has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and is designated as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the National Society of Human Resources accreditation body.