Cigna (NYSE:CI) named Ralph Holmes as president and general manager for its commercial health care benefits plans in Arizona, adding to its Phoenix-based leadership team.

Cigna Medical Group (CMG), the multi-specialty medical practice, and seniors plans in Arizona will continue to be led by Edward Kim who joined Cigna in 2011.

In his role, Holmes’ responsibilities include enhancing customer satisfaction through personalized service and helping to improve health care by working in collaboration with both CMG and other area health care professionals.

His duties also include ensuring that Cigna’s product and network offerings meet the evolving needs of the Arizona marketplace, assisting employer clients to improve the health and productivity of their workforces, and continuing Cigna’s work in Arizona communities.

“Ralph brings to Cigna over 25 years of experience in health care and employee benefits and expertise in leading businesses in regions around the country,” said Mike Triplett, president of the U.S. Regional Segment, Payer Solutions and Government & Taft-Hartley for Cigna.  “He is a strong and skilled leader to further Cigna’s innovation and growth in Arizona.”

Prior to joining Cigna, Holmes most recently served as president, Aetna Health Inc. of Texas.  During his Aetna career, he also held market leadership roles in North Texas/Oklahoma, Orlando, Florida, and the sales and service teams in the Cleveland/Toledo Ohio markets. Prior to Aetna, Ralph was at Johnson and Johnson where he had diverse sales roles including district sales manager, southern New England, manager of its national sales training school, and pharmaceutical sales in New York City.

Ralph earned his MBA from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. He has been a board member of the Dallas Regional Chamber, North Texas Accountable Care Partnership, American Heart Association, and Junior Achievement of Dallas.