Insurance
10 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executives
These ten current and former CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executives have held president and CEO, executive vice president and chief officer titles there, including its chief financial officer. A reader can learn how executives build and run their teams at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
Professionals to explore
01—10Brian D. Pieninck
LinkedInExperience: President & CEO · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Former President & CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (July 2018 to October 2025), based in Baltimore and Washington according to the profile. Other CareFirst roles listed are Chief Operating Officer (2017–2018) and Executive Vice President (2015–2017). The profile also lists President & CEO at GuideWell since October 2025.
Brian Wheeler
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Health Services Division · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President, Health Services Division at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since February 2024. Former CareFirst roles listed include Senior Vice President, Health Services Division (2023–2024), Vice President, Provider Collaboration and Network Transformation (2020–2023) and Vice President, Practice & Payment Transformation (2019–2020).
Fred Plumb
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, FEHBP SBU · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Former Executive Vice President, FEHBP SBU at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (March 2013 to April 2018) and former Senior Vice President, FEP ASU there (2009–2013); the profile headline reads former Executive Vice President within BlueCross BlueShield. The profile also lists Executive Director, Business Execution at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (2007–2009).
Ja'Ron Bridges
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since March 2025, a C-level finance and accounting role, and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer there since October 2025. Former roles at Highmark include Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer- Highmark Health Plans (2023–2025) and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Medicaid (2022–2023).
Jim Leleszi
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Enterprise Product and Specialty Division · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President, Enterprise Product and Specialty Division at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since March 2024. Former CareFirst roles listed include Senior Vice President, Specialty Business (2019–2024) and Vice President, Large Group Sales and Client Management (2016–2019). The profile also lists Vice President, Business Development at Healthmine (2014–2016).
Kurt Small
LinkedInExperience: President and Chief Executive Officer · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
President and Chief Executive Officer of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since April 2026; the profile describes CareFirst as serving 3.5 million members across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Northern Virginia and beyond. Former roles at Elevance Health include President, Medicaid (2023–2026) and Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Government Business Division (2020–2022).
Randolph Sergent
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President & General Counsel · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President & General Counsel at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since July 2024. Former CareFirst roles listed include Vice President & Deputy General Counsel (2013–2024) and Senior Director & Assistant General Counsel (2010–2012). The profile also lists Partner, Non-Equity at Venable LLP (2006–2010).
Ricardo R. Johnson
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President & Chief Growth Officer · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President & Chief Growth Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since February 2024; the profile says the role leads all of CareFirst's core market segments and a $10B+ portfolio spanning Consumer and Small Business to Mid/Large Group. Former CareFirst roles listed include Executive Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and Emerging Businesses (2022–2024) and Special Assistant to the CEO (2015–2018).
Robert Heyl
LinkedInExperience: Chief Technology Officer · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Chief Technology Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since September 2020, and Chief AI Officer (Interim) there since September 2024; the profile highlights work on automation, analytics and AI. The profile also lists a former role as Chief Data and Analytics Officer (Interim) at CareFirst (2021–2024) and Board Member - Data Use and Technology Committee at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association since 2024.
Stacia Cohen RN, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Health Services · CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Executive Vice President, Health Services at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield since September 2018; the profile says the role drives the strategic, transformational and operational direction of Health Services, including healthcare service, delivery and payment innovation. The profile also lists former roles at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, including Vice President, Medicare (2018).
Choose the right perspective
Match the executive's area to your question, since enterprise leaders, market and product leaders and leaders of health services, legal or technology see different parts of the same decision. Check each role's dates so you know whether the person's view of CareFirst is current or from an earlier period.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How are decisions about new programs or vendors split between CareFirst's enterprise leaders and its market and product divisions?
- 02How does a health plan decide where to invest in care delivery and payment innovation?
- 03What does a regional Blue plan look for when evaluating a new provider, product or technology partner?
Reaching CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executives
How can I contact one of these CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executives?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, based on profile data retrieved on October 7, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executives?
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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