Nancy Ham and Marilyn Tavenner join BCBSAZ board

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has elected two new members to its board of directors—one steeped in technology and the other with extensive government experience. On July 15, 2019, Nancy Ham, CEO of WebPT, Inc., and Marilyn Tavenner, R.N., the former Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and past president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), officially joined the BCBSAZ board, which provides strategic oversight to the company.

“Nancy and Marilyn bring skillsets that will strengthen an already dynamic group of leaders on this board,” said Richard Dozer, BCBSAZ chairman of the board. “They are both well-rounded leaders with a tremendous depth of experience in healthcare, possessing the expertise to help the board develop and support BCBSAZ’s strategic direction.”

Ham is a highly accomplished healthcare technology CEO who has proven her ability to drive exceptional outcomes in the complex digital health and IT space.

As CEO of WebPT, the leading software platform for outpatient rehab therapy providers, she focuses on developing innovative products and strategies to expand awareness of physical therapy as an effective, cost-efficient patient care pathway.  She previously served as CEO of Healthagen Population Health Solutions, part of Aetna’s technology and innovation arm, and as CEO of MedVentive, a performance analytics company.

Ham’s multifaceted technology expertise is complemented by Tavenner’s government experience.

Tavenner has a long and distinguished career in healthcare. Most recently, Tavenner was president and CEO of AHIP, advocating for public policies that expand access to affordable healthcare coverage, and working to solve challenges facing consumers and the broader healthcare system. As Administrator of CMS, she is credited with focusing on programs aimed at significantly enhancing the quality of the U.S. healthcare system. 

“Our board of directors plays a critical role in overseeing the strategic direction of BCBSAZ,” said Pam Kehaly, president and CEO of BCBSAZ. “Nancy and Marilyn bring two unique and diverse skillsets that are unmatched. They will be invaluable as we continue looking for new ways to partner with others to bring products and services to our community that are unrivaled in both quality and value.”

Jaburg Wilk partner earns Outstanding Tax Attorney Award

Beth Cohn, a shareholder at the Phoenix law firm of Jaburg Wilk, recently received the 2019 Henry Tom Outstanding Tax Attorney Award by the State Bar of Arizona Tax Law Section.  The award is given to the tax attorney who made significant contributions to the field of tax law and demonstrated extraordinary leadership, initiative and innovation.

Beth assists her business clients, closely held family businesses, and individuals with general business law, transactional work, tax issues, business planning and estate planning.  She is a 2019 Best Lawyer in America in Closely Held Companies and Family Business law.  Beth is a board member of the Jaburg & Wilk Foundation and member of the professional advisory committee of the Arizona Community Foundation.  A former board member of the Cancer Support Community of Arizona, she currents assists them as a member of their finance committee. She is also a member of Charter 100.

Jaburg Wilk expands family law practice

The law firm of Jaburg Wilk announced that Ilya Prokopets joined the firm as an attorney in their family law department.  Before joining Jaburg Wilk, Ilya represented clients in commercial litigation and complex real estate litigation cases.  He has represented clients in both New York and Arizona.

“Ilya is an outstanding addition to our family law group,” said Family Law Department Chair, Mitchell Reichman.  “His experience dealing with complex financial matters coupled with his litigation and negotiation skills will be an asset to our clients in our family law cases.”

Ilya received his J.D. from The New York Law School and his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University.  He is admitted in both Arizona and New York.

Jennings Strouss attorney appointed to the Herberger board

Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that Scott F. Frerichs has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Herberger Theater Center. 

The Herberger Theater Center’s mission is to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator, and advocate. It was built in 1989 to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix as a performance venue and arts incubator. The Herberger Theater Center has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the Valley. They have made a strong commitment to sustaining its outreach programs and collaborations for youth by providing kids with an opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of the theater. Each year, approximately 120,000 patrons, including 30,000 school-aged children share the unique experience of live performing arts.

“It is an honor to be appointed to the Herberger Theater Board of Directors,” states Frerichs, Member in the firm’s litigation department. “I look forward to working with the Board and staff of the Herberger Theater Center to promote the arts community.”

Jennings Strouss attorney earns certification

Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, announced that Norma C. Izzo has been approved as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.

The State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors administers the Board of Legal Specialization (BLS) program under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The purpose of the legal specialization program is to identify to the public and the Bar those lawyers who have demonstrated superior knowledge, skill, integrity, professionalism, and a high degree of competence in a specific field of law so that the public can more closely match its needs with available services, and to permit lawyers to better serve the public by increasing the quality of legal services.

“I am honored to be approved as a Certified Family Law Specialist,” states Izzo, Chair of the firm’s family law and domestic relations department. “My team and I look forward to continuing to provide determined, responsive, and compassionate representation to clients in the area of domestic relations.”

Ben Gorbea rejoins Sigma Contracting

Sigma Contracting is pleased to announce the re-hiring of Superintendent Ben Gorbea, who had previously worked for the Arizona-based general contracting company.

Currently supervising the addition to Legacy Traditional School in the City of Maricopa, Gorbea will oversee the operations of his construction site, from planning to completion. He will be responsible for daily scheduling, supervising all activities and tasks and ensuring the safety and compliance of the project site.

Gorbea possesses 25 years of industry experience and has served as a superintendent for various construction companies including Sigma Contracting and Balfour Beatty. He also worked as an industrial mechanic/industrial electrician for OMCO solar.