Tuesday Kudos: Delta Dental Names New VP For Sales

Delta Dental names a new vice-president, TransAmerica earns an impressive accolade, and Wal-Mart has a new lead independent director.

JAY REAVIS NAMED VP AT DELTA DENTAL
Jay Reavis was named Vice President of Sales and Account Management for Delta Dental of Arkansas.

Reavis is also the Vice President of Sales, Account Management and Underwriting for Delta Dental of Tennessee. Reavis will continue his current role with Delta Dental of Tennessee while assuming his new position with Delta Dental of Arkansas.

Reavis started with Delta Dental of Tennessee in 1999 in Underwriting. Prior to working for Delta Dental, he worked with Tenet Healthcare.

A native of Texas, Reavis is an alum of Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA from the University of Houston. He lives with his family in Franklin, Tenn.

“We look forward to Jay becoming a part of our leadership team,” said Ed Choate, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Arkansas. “Jay has over 10 years of experience working within the Delta Dental system, and his experience will greatly contribute to our company’s success.”

Delta Dental of Arkansas and Delta Dental of Tennessee are part of the Renaissance Health Services Corporation, an affiliation of six Delta Dental companies in eight states. Through the Renaissance affiliation, both companies are able to share resources.

TRANSAMERICA RECOGNIZED
The annual U.S. Worksite/Voluntary Sales Report produced by marketing advisory firm Eastbridge Consulting Group, Inc. identified Transamerica Life Insurance Company – which markets voluntary benefits through its Transamerica Employee Benefits business unit – as the fastest growing company based on voluntary sales for 2012 among large companies.

“The need for voluntary benefits is rising significantly, particularly supplemental health, due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and as open enrollment nears,” said Randy Clarkson, president of Transamerica Employee Benefits.

This is Transamerica Employee Benefits’ third consecutive year achieving sales above industry averages. The business unit has had sales increases of 9 percent, 28 percent and 15.3 percent in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

WAL-MART BOARD CHANGE ALTERS INDIE MAKE-UP
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. board of directors appointed James Cash Jr. as lead independent director. Cash is an emeritus professor at Harvard University and a member of Wal-Mart’s audit compliance committee.

He joined Wal-Mart’s board in 2006 and replaces 51-year-old James Breyer, who served on the board for more than a decade.

Breyer rotated off the retailer’s board this year under the company’s rules of corporate governance.