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Independence Blue Cross hosts pep rally to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles

Photo credit: Albert Lee, Assistant Digital Director, Office of the Mayor

Associate event features special appearances by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and former All-Pro Eagle Tra Thomas

To celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles appearance in the big game, more than 300 Independence Blue Cross (Independence) associates – full of spirit and wearing their best Eagles gear – gathered in the company’s Center City headquarters for a pep rally on Thursday. Independence Blue Cross is the Official Health Insurance Partner of the Philadelphia Eagles and the presenting partner of Eagles Training Camp.

The pep rally was led by Independence President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory E. Deavens and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Juan Lopez, who rallied the crowd and encouraged attendees to get excited for a potential parade down Broad Street. The event also featured special appearances by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and former Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl offensive tackle Tra Thomas. The pep rally ended with a rousing rendition of the Eagles fight song led by the Quaker City String Band.

Associates had an opportunity to win prizes, enjoy Eagles-themed refreshments, and see a sneak preview of Independence’s new pregame commercial that will air this Sunday on Fox during regional coverage of the big game.

“Just like the Eagles, Independence is the home team here in the Greater Philadelphia region. Our hearts beat with this city and region, and they beat a little louder when there’s something like this to galvanize people across the region. Independence works closely and very well with the Eagles, including meaningful collaboration for the good of the community. That’s another reason we’re here to celebrate, and why the region is hoping and excited for another Philadelphia championship!” CEO Deavens said.

Independence also helped the region celebrate by distributing cheer cards via The Philadelphia Inquirer. The cheer cards feature a prominent “Go Birds” headline for Eagles fans to display in their home, workplace, or car as they show their home team pride. Ads with the same “Go Birds” message also will appear in The Philadelphia Tribune, Al Día News, and Metro.

Pictured left to right: Juan Lopez, Independence Blue Cross EVP, CFO & Treasurer; Greg Deavens, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO; Sheila Hess, Philadelphia City Representative; Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Tra Thomas, former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl Philadelphia Eagle
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
Greg Deavens, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
Quaker City String Band
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
Tra Thomas, former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl Philadelphia Eagle
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
Photo credit: HughE Dillon

From Independence: Lorina Marshall Blake, VP of Community Affairs and Independence Blue Cross Foundation President; Kernika Gupta, Director of CEO Initiatives; Dr. Reetika Kumar, Market Medical Executive and Vice President of Clinical Solutions; Donna Farrell, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications

Juan Lopez, Independence Blue Cross EVP, CFO & Treasurer
Photo credit: HughE Dillon
From Independence: Evelyn Vasquez-Gerczyk, Executive Assistant and Greg Deavens, President and CEO
Photo credit: HughE Dillon

 

 

From Independence: Joshua Ford, Sr. Sales Enablement Specialist-SME, Government Markets; Amber Bagby, Sr. Sales Enablement Specialist-SME, Government Markets

 

 

Media contact:
Kathleen Conlon
267-918-8057 (cell)
Kathleen.Conlon@ibx.com