Thomas W. Watson—Chief Executive Officer
Thomas W. Watson is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Avizent. As CEO, Mr. Watson oversees all national property and casualty TPA services, a full-service managed care company, occupational PPO networks and Avizent’s alternative risk division. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience primarily in insurance and financial services. Previously, Mr. Watson served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Avizent and was responsible for directing financial functions and supporting the company’s strategic direction. Earlier in his career, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of UnitedHealthcare Benefit Services, a UnitedHealth Group TPA; and served as CFO for UnitedHealth Group’s OptumHealth Financial Services segment. Mr. Watson also worked as Division Controller for CIGNA Health Services, which operated five distinct business units including IntraCorp, a provider of disability and workers’ compensation services.
Doug Markham—Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Managed Care
Doug Markham is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of our managed care division. Mr. Markham is responsible for prospective and retrospective managed care programs and services (bill review, utilization review, case management and integrated managed care plans), as well as Avizent’s Preferred Provider Organization and diagnostic imaging network. He has over 15 years of industry experience, and previously served as COO for Rockport Healthcare Group and as Vice President of Network Development for FOCUS Healthcare Management, a Concentra subsidiary. His background includes an emphasis on strategic planning and implementation, managed care sales and marketing, operations and product development.
Mark McCarthy—General Counsel
Mark McCarthy serves as General Counsel. He has more than 26 years of experience in the workers’ compensation industry. During his career, Mr. McCarthy has also served as Vice President for a third party claims administration firm and as a defense attorney for Millisor & Nobil in Cleveland, Ohio.
Paul Miller—Chief Financial Officer
Paul Miller serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Avizent. As CFO, he is responsible for directing all financial and human resources functions. Mr. Miller has more than 27 years of combined experience in the finance and public accounting sectors, including over 18 years serving in financial leadership roles. Previously, he served as CFO and General Counsel at CompManagement, Inc. During his career, he also held several CFO positions within the healthcare industry. Mr. Miller has experience overseeing all corporate financial facets, forecasting, budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, human resources and information technology.
Adrienne Paler—Executive Vice President, Client Services
Adrienne Paler is Executive Vice President (EVP) of Client Services. She is responsible for all aspects of client management for self-insured and state-funded employers (outside of Ohio), insured and captive clients, and self-insured groups. She also oversees all client implementations and stewardship reporting. Ms. Paler joined Avizent in 2009 as EVP of Human Resources, and was responsible for overseeing employee benefit and career development programs. Previously, she served as Regional Manager of Disability and ADA Compliance at Providence Health & Services. During her 20+ year career, she has made significant contributions to industry education and received the 2009 Partnership Award presented by the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC). The award recognizes DMEC members who provide outstanding support to the organization. Ms. Paler worked to write and enhance the Certified Professional Disability Manager (CPDM) program curriculum along with other employer and vendor partners. She also holds two certifications (CPDM and Senior Professional Human Resource Manager), and serves on the Employer Advisory Board for the National DMEC.
Vance Root—Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Vance Root is Executive Vice President, and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. His responsibilities include oversight of business development and marketing efforts throughout the country. He has an extensive background in TPA sales, operations and product/market development, which combined provides a true understanding of how to serve clients in today’s evolving market. Before joining Avizent, Mr. Root held key positions at other national TPAs where he built and supported top-level production and client retention units. He was formerly the Senior Vice President of Sales at Cambridge Integrated Services Group, and has also held positions at Presidium, Wisenberg Insurance, Alexis Risk Management, and Crawford and Company.
Rick Stasi—Chief Operating Officer, Alternative Risk
Rick Stasi is the Chief Operating Officer of our alternative risk division. He is responsible for overall operations of Avizent’s alternative risk programs, which include individual, group and agency captives; and insured programs. He has 31 years of commercial insurance experience and also oversees Avizent’s Bermuda-based captive reinsurance company, Atlantic Gateway International, Ltd. His responsibilities include the administration, marketing and claim services associated with the organization’s alternative risk programs. Before joining Avizent, Mr. Stasi served as Director of Alternative Risk Operations for Powell-Walton-Milward (part of Palmer & Cay), led the sales department at Van Meter Insurance and held several key management positions for CNA Insurance Company.
Jeff Steiner—Executive Vice President of Claims Administration
Jeff Steiner serves as Executive Vice President of Claims Administration. His responsibilities include overseeing Avizent’s national claims operations. Mr. Steiner has 20 years of experience in the workers’ compensation and managed care industries. During his career, he has held several leadership positions and most recently served as Director of Workers’ Compensation and Managed Care for Tyson Foods. His background includes developing and managing self-insured workers’ compensation and liability programs; as well as self administered programs for claims administration, medical bill review, case management, utilization review and PPO network development. Mr. Steiner has served as Vice President of the Arkansas Self Insurers Association, and Treasurer and Chair of the Missouri Private Sector Self-Insurers Guaranty Corporation. He is also active in several other industry-related organizations.
Dan Sullivan—Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ohio Operations
Dan Sullivan serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ohio Operations. Mr. Sullivan is responsible for the claims and risk management programs provided by the Frank Gates Service Company, a division of Avizent that offers group rating and state fund claims services for Ohio employers. He has more than 27 years of experience in the claims management industry. Previously, Mr. Sullivan served as Senior Vice President of Claims Operations for CompManagement, Inc. During his career, he has held several leadership positions, including Vice President and Operations Manager at CompManagement, Inc. and Claims Manager for EQUICOR (now CIGNA).
Ronald Vanover—Senior Vice President of Information Technologies
Ronald Vanover serves as Senior Vice President of Information Technologies (IT). He oversees all daily IT operations, and provides leadership for all areas of the department related to development, quality assurance, infrastructure, technical call center functions and imaging. Mr. Vanover has more than 20 years of industry experience and most recently worked as Vice President of IT at Avizent. Previously, he served as the company’s Director of Network Integration and Infrastructure.