Excellus names Reed regional president, Vercillo retiring from position

DeWITT, N.Y. — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) has named James Reed regional president of the health insurer’s Central New York region.

Reed currently serves as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Excellus BCBS, the nonprofit said in a news release distributed on Thursday morning.

Rochester–based Excellus is Central New York’s largest health insurer.

Reed will replace Dr. Arthur Vercillo (lower photo), who is retiring from the position effective July 1.  Vercillo will continue to devote his time to his local surgical practice, Excellus said.

Reed, who has worked for Excellus BCBS for 20 years, will oversee 850 Excellus employees who work in the Central New York offices, the organization said.

Reed’s new role “will expand his responsibilities.”

In this role, he will combine his leadership of marketing and sales with the additional responsibility of “supporting and maintaining business and … provider networks in Central New York,” the nonprofit said.

Reed previously held the regional president position from 2008 to 2009. He then moved into his current role as senior vice president of sales and marketing to help prepare the organization for “significant” changes resulting from passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to Excellus.

“Jim has established strong relationships with customers, vendors, brokers, providers, employers and community leaders in the Central New York region,” Christopher Booth, CEO of Excellus BCBS, said in the news release. “He brings an expansive knowledge of our business and proven track record of leadership success to the regional president’s position.”

Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in business administration from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, according to Excellus.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com