Comment on Highmark WV announces its president will retire in November

By Lydia Nuzum Highmark West Virginia, the state's largest health insurer, announced Thursday that its president, Fred Earley, will retire in November. The company also announced that James Fawcett, a 27-year employee of Highmark, will become its next president effective Nov. 1. Fawcett most recently served as senior vice president of Medicaid markets in West Virginia and Delaware, and has worked in provider contracting and network management for Highmark in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware. "Fred's legacy is one of true commitment and dedication to not only the health and well-being of our members and employees, but also to the entire state of West Virginia, and he will be greatly missed," said Deborah Rice-Johnson, Highmark Health Plan president. "Like Fred, Jim's extensive knowledge of the health care industry, combined with his experience in sales, provider contracting and the Medicaid market, make him an ideal fit and well-positioned to lead Highmark West Virginia as its president." Earley, who was appointed president of Highmark West Virginia in 2009, served as general counsel for twenty years prior to becoming the company's president.