Independence Blue Cross (Independence) announced three promotions within the company’s executive Sales team.
Susan Larkin, Senior Vice President, Health Markets
Susan Larkin has been promoted to senior vice president of Health Markets. In her new role, Larkin is responsible for optimizing the business performance for Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates. She will leverage her deep industry experience in harnessing the power of the organization to collectively drive profit and loss (P&L) operating results across all segments by enhancing revenue opportunities and driving administrative and medical cost efficiencies. Larkin will drive stakeholder accountability to insure client needs are anticipated and met. She will also retain her existing responsibility for delivering pharmacy services and solutions.
Larkin previously served as vice president and chief pharmacy and performance management executive.
Larkin joined Independence in 2010 as the vice president of Account Management focusing on retaining and growing existing large group and national customers. Her strategic leadership has led to growth in pharmacy sales with retention and new business and optimal performance of P&L businesses. She has led efforts to educate customers about the advantage of choosing Independence for both their medical and pharmacy benefits. Larkin has over 20 years of experience producing innovative solutions in the health care industry. Over the course of her career, she established a multifaceted regional health care consulting practice. Larkin grew this practice and later merged with a national benefits firm, while continuing to grow the business and ensure a seamless transition for customers and partners.
Larkin received a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a concentration in mathematics from Widener University.
Brett Mayfield, Senior Vice President, Sales
Brett Mayfield has been promoted to senior vice president of Sales. He most recently served as vice president of Sales.
Mayfield is responsible for Independence’s growth and retention in the consumer and new business markets (for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees).
Mayfield has held positions of increasing responsibility since joining Independence in 1991. Throughout his career at Independence, Mayfield has demonstrated himself as a leader with an understanding of the marketplace and an ability to drive growth through collaboration and innovative solutions. Under his watch, Independence’s consumer, small group new business and retention, and mid-market retention segments have continued to achieve or exceed membership targets. Mayfield’s focus on enhancing broker relationships has resulted in streamlined communications, improved self-service technology, and the implementation of the Broker Interaction Model.
Mayfield has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Shippensburg University.
Peter Panageas, Senior Vice President, Sales
Peter Panageas has been promoted to senior vice president of Sales in reflection of his leadership in expanding Independence’s national footprint and maintaining strong retention across key sales segments. In this role, he is focused on new business and retention for all groups of more than 1,000 members.
Panageas joined Independence as vice president of Sales in 2010. During his tenure with the company, he has implemented significant changes to the sales incentive program and improved membership reporting capabilities to increase sales force effectiveness.
Panageas is a respected client relationship leader with recognized expertise in new business creation, client relationship management, and innovative client solutions. He also manages sales and marketing activites related to Consortium Health Plans. In addition to managing the P&L for National, Premier, Labor and Education, Panageas’ organization manages over 1 million members locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
Panageas received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.
To learn more about the executive team at Independence, click here.