Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City has a new CEO

Danette K. Wilson, who has been serving as interim president and chief executive of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City since August 2014, now has the titles outright.

Thomas McCullough, chairman of the Blue KC board of directors, said Wilson had “made a significant positive impact on the day-to-day operations, providing stability in the short time she has been serving as interim CEO.”

Wilson has been with Blue KC for more than 25 years. She was named interim CEO when David Gentile retired after about 31/2 years at the helm. The company said at the time that the board would undertake a national search for Gentile’s successor.

“As a long-term employee, her influence has been felt throughout the company for years,” McCullough said, praising Wilson’s “ability to build relationships, strong leadership skills and comprehensive knowledge of our company.”

Wilson previously held sales and marketing roles at Blue KC, which is the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri, providing coverage services to more than 1 million people.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City has a new CEO."