Insurance
10 UnitedHealth Group IT leaders
These ten technology leaders hold or have held director-level or higher IT roles at UnitedHealth Group and its Optum business, including several chief information officers. A reader can learn from them how UnitedHealth Group plans, runs and integrates technology across its businesses.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chad Wamhoff
LinkedInExperience: Director of Information Technology · Optum
Director of Information Technology at Optum since 2021, where the profile says the role is responsible for the ITSM platform that manages incidents, problems and change processes for the enterprise, with over 25,000 users. Former Director of IT at UnitedHealth Group (2008–2013) and former Director of Application Development at United Healthcare Global (2013–2015).
Eric Peterson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Information Technology · Optum (UnitedHealth Group)
Former Vice President Information Technology at Optum (UnitedHealth Group) (2013–2016) and former Senior Director at UnitedHealth Group (UHG) (2007–2013). The profile cites experience building and overseeing teams and products that solve complex engineering problems, with insight into end-to-end technology release management, delivery and support.
Fawad Rana
LinkedInExperience: VP CIO · UnitedHealth Group
VP CIO at UnitedHealth Group since 2020. The profile says the role leads a team of over 500 IT professionals and oversees a portfolio of more than $100 million in projects. Other UnitedHealth Group roles listed are Sr Director Technology (2017–2020), Director of Information Technology (2013–2017) and Information Technology Program Manager (2010–2013).
Jeremy Stern
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Information Technology · UnitedHealth Group
Vice President, Information Technology at UnitedHealth Group since 2019, where the profile says the role is responsible for UnitedHealth Group's merger and acquisition IT integration strategy and execution. The profile also lists Senior Director - Optum Technology at UnitedHealth Group since 2014 and Director of IT at UnitedHealth Group (2007–2014).
John Anthony
LinkedInExperience: VP- CIO(UMR) · Optum
VP- CIO(UMR) at Optum since June 2026, where the profile says the role leads technology strategy and transformation for UMR, described as the largest healthcare third-party administrator in the United States. Vice President, Software Engineering at Optum since 2025. Other Optum roles listed are Sr Director, Software Engineering (2020–2023 and 2023–2025) and Director, Software Engineering (2016–2020).
Josh Woodrum
LinkedInExperience: CIO, Optum Technology, Contact Center Advancement, Advocate Experience · UnitedHealth Group
CIO, Optum Technology, Contact Center Advancement, Advocate Experience at UnitedHealth Group since October 2025, where the profile says the role leads a Global Capabilities Office team responsible for about $65M in annual spend. Former CIO, Optum Financial Technology, Consumer Digital (2023–2025), CIO, United Healthcare Technology, Provider (2022–2023) and VP, Software Engineering, United Healthcare Technology, Provider (2016–2022).
Paul Ockert
LinkedInExperience: VP Information Technology · Optum [UnitedHealth Group]
Former VP Information Technology at Optum [UnitedHealth Group] (2014–2023) and former Senior Director at UnitedHealth Group (2008–2014). The profile describes a senior-level IT leader focused on delivering measurable technology solutions and partnering strategically. It also lists CIO at Farm Credit Financial Partners, Inc. (1999–2008).
Phil McKoy
LinkedInExperience: CIO, Optum · UnitedHealth Group
Former CIO, Optum at UnitedHealth Group (2021–2023); the profile headline describes a former CIO of UnitedHealthcare and Optum. SVP, Member, Consumer and Provider Experience at UnitedHealth Group since 2026, and Enterprise Lead, Services and Integration, Optum from 2023 to 2026. The profile also lists EVP, Digital Transformation at UnitedHealth Group (2020–2021).
Steve W.
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer, Optum Health · Optum
Chief Information Officer, Optum Health at Optum since October 2025. Other Optum CIO roles listed are Chief Information Officer, Optum Health Care Delivery & Enterprise Clinical Platforms (2024–2025), Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Clinical Technology & Services and Optum Care Solutions (2022–2024) and Chief Information Officer, Optum Serve (2021–2022).
Syed Samiullah
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer UnitedHealth Group Optum Care · Optum
Chief Information Officer UnitedHealth Group Optum Care since 2023 and Chief Information Officer at Optum since 2026. The profile says the role leads technology strategy and operations across Optum Health's largest region, spanning 30 states, more than 6 million members and 400+ care sites. Former Vice President Information Technology UnitedHealth Group Optum Care (2021–2023).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since business-unit CIOs see strategy and budget trade-offs while IT directors see how platforms and service processes run day to day. Check whether the person's role is current or past so their experience fits the period you care about.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does UnitedHealth Group decide which technology is built centrally by Optum and which is owned by individual business units?
- 02How are IT systems integrated after UnitedHealth Group acquires a company, and what usually goes wrong?
- 03How are technology budgets set and prioritized across the different businesses?
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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