PARSIPPANY, N.J. — September 4, 2013 —Delta Dental of New Jersey has named Dennis G. Wilson, a 25-year veteran in the healthcare industry, as president and chief executive officer, effective September 4, 2013. Wilson is replacing Walter VanBrunt, who is retiring after serving as CEO for the past 15 years.
“Dennis brings with him an extensive background of career achievements,” said Dr. Ronald Deblinger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “I have no doubt that he is the right person to take the helm of our organization, as we bid a fond farewell to Walter VanBrunt, whose leadership and dedication to our mission helped the company grow substantially. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we welcome Dennis and look forward to working with him in the coming years.”
Wilson comes to Delta Dental of New Jersey from the national managed care organization, Coventry Health Care/Aetna, where he served as a president of the Mid-Atlantic region. From 2007 to 2010, he was president and chief executive officer of Lovelace Health Plan in Albuquerque, NM. Under his leadership, Lovelace was ranked by NCQA as the state’s top health plan and also improved its national ranking. Previously, Wilson had a national role with Cigna Healthcare in Bloomfield, CT, where he served as a market segment president from 2004 to 2007. He also held prominent positions at Partners in Care, Corp. in Somerset, NJ, Healthnet/Foundation Health Systems in Shelton, CT and Neptune, NJ, and Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia, PA.
“Along with a meaningful commitment to the communities it serves, Delta Dental has a rich history of delivering high value programs and solid service performance to its subscribers, dentists, and customers in New Jersey and Connecticut,” said Wilson. “I look at the challenges our industry is facing. While the challenges appear daunting, the dynamics brought on by the Accountable Care Act, the state of our economy, and a changing marketplace are fueling an environment for real innovation, along with the opportunity to deliver new and impactful solutions to our current and future customers. I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to help lead Delta Dental on a path to maximize these opportunities.”
Wilson is active in the community. He served on the boards of the United Way, the Albuquerque Economic Development Commission, the Lovelace Clinic Foundation, and the Princeton YMCA. Wilson was also a trustee and governance committee chair for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and for the University of New Mexico Athletic Scholarship Association. He served as chair of the New Mexico Association of Health Plans and was a member of the strategic planning committee for Rotary International.
Wilson holds a bachelor of science in marketing from the University of Massachusetts.
About Delta Dental
Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.5 million people through contracts with groups in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental Insurance Company writes dental coverage on an insured basis and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.
