Florida Blue appoints new exec for state’s west coast

Florida Blue, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, named health care veteran Phillip Lee as its next market president for West Florida. 

Lee replaces longtime Florida Blue leader David Pizzo, who led Florida Blue’s West Florida regional operations for nearly 17 years. Pizzo died Feb. 9 at 64 of pancreatic cancer. 

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As Florida Blue’s market president for West Florida, Lee will be responsible for the company’s business operations in a 14-county region from Hernando County south to Collier County, including the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg area, Sarasota-Manatee and Southwest Florida regions. He will lead business strategy, membership growth and retention, brand enhancement and civic and community engagement for the region. “West Florida is one of the most exciting, diverse, and vibrant areas of our state and a critical one for Florida Blue. I am excited to lead our passionate, committed West Florida team and to work with our many regional partners to advance the well-being of the community,” Lee says in the release.    

Lee has more than 20 years of health care experience, according to a statement. He most recently was vice president for select markets for the health care giant. Since joining Florida Blue in 2007, he has served in leadership roles across several functions, including provider network, strategy, sales and from 2018-2020 as vice president and chief of staff to GuideWell and Florida Blue President and CEO Pat Geraghty, the release states. 

“Phil has a deep understanding of our complex health care industry, a commitment to our mission and the communities we serve, and a record of proven performance,” Chuck Divita, executive vice president of commercial markets at Florida Blue, says in the release. “He has routinely stepped up to lead key programs, partnerships, and products for Florida Blue and will play an integral role in helping us drive health care access and affordability for people and communities across West Florida.”

Florida Blue serves more than five million members and all 67 Florida counties. Headquartered in Jacksonville with nearly 8,900 employees, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.