St. Hilaire leaving Capital BlueCross this April

Gary St. Hilaire, Capital BlueCross president and CEO, will be leaving the company to lead a neighboring BlueCross Blue Shield insurer this April.

St. Hilaire first joined the Harrisburg-based Capital BlueCross in 2005 and has led as its president and CEO since 2012. The company said Tuesday that he will be leaving to take up the mantle of president and CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Jersey on April 6.

“We are grateful to Gary for his leadership over the past 15 years,” said Kathryn Taylor, Capital BlueCross Board Chairman. “His drive, financial acumen, innovative thinking and commitment to the community have made us a stronger company and cemented our position as the leading health plan in our market.”

In St. Hilaire’s place, Capital BlueCross’ Board of Directors has appointed Todd Shamash to acting CEO, effective April 6. Shamash has been with the company for seven years and is currently senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Capital BlueCross.

During his time at Capital BlueCross, Shamash has been an integral part of the company’s strategic partnerships, diversification strategy and subsidiaries.

“Known throughout the organization for his thoughtful approach and unflappable demeanor, Todd brings both a deep knowledge of the company and its current initiatives, as well as a keen understanding of the industry through his past experience,” said Taylor. “Todd and our exceptional management team will continue to build on Capital BlueCross’ successes as an independent, community-focused health plan and foster the further growth of our subsidiaries in Central Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley and beyond.”

Shamash serves as an appointee of Gov. Tom Wolf on the state’s Health Care Cost Containment Council and is an appointee of the Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore on the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority. He was previously the deputy chief of staff for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office and senior counsel for Jefferson Health System in Philadelphia.