Health insurer names new leader for multi-county area

SARASOTA — Health insurer Florida Blue named a new executive leader for the area. Nick Kouris will serve as the company’s Southwest Florida market leader.

The move extends the local strategy the company began 15 years ago when it expanded its regional footprint and developed local leadership teams and market presidents in Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville, according to a press release. 

“At Florida Blue we live in and provide support to the communities we serve, and we have extensive knowledge to help people and communities achieve better health,” says Jon Urbanek, senior vice president of commercial markets, in a statement. 

Kouris will develop, lead and execute a hyper-local strategy for Florida Blue focused on Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee and DeSoto counties and extending down to Collier and Lee counties. The role will includes sales, products, analytics, provider networks and care management as well as local marketing and community relations.

“As the competitive environment intensifies, and with no two counties the same, we must deepen our understanding of every community in the state in order to personalize our products and services and deepen our impact on health and well-being,” says West Florida Market President David Pizzo in a statement. 

Kouris is one of six new market leaders Florida Blue has named.

Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has provided health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. The company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. Headquartered in Jacksonville, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.