Daniel J. Hilferty

Daniel J. Hilferty (born c. 1957)[1] is an American business executive who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Independence Blue Cross. Hilferty was named CEO of Independence Blue Cross in 2010, which serves 9 million customers in 24 states.[2] Prior to 2010, he had been President and Chief Executive Officer of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies.

Hilferty grew up in Ocean City, New Jersey and graduated in 1974 from St. Augustine Preparatory School, which recognized him in 2014 with its Gregor Mendel medal in recognition of his career accomplishments and philanthropy.[3] Hilferty earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Joseph's University in Accounting in 1978 and was awarded a Master of Public Administration degree from American University.[2][4] Hilferty had received an offer of a $22,000-a-year position at Electronic Data Systems after completing his graduate degree in 1981, but turned it down in favor of a spot at Misericordia Hospital.[5]

Hilferty worked with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in a volunteer program improving city playgrounds in Portland, Oregon and came to the realization that he "was a pretty good leader" based on his ability to accomplish his goals by managing his resources and connecting with government officials.[6][7]

From 1987 to 1990, Hilferty was the assistant vice president overseeing community and media relations for Saint Joseph's University. From 1990 to 1992, Hilferty was the Executive Director of PennPorts in the administration of Governor of Pennsylvania Robert P. Casey, where he oversaw development aspects of the commonwealth's ports in Erie, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.[4] In 1994, Hilferty ran unsuccessfully as one of 8 candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.[1]

In a 2013 interview, Hilferty said that he would have delayed implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by a year to allow better coordination between stakeholders that would allow for a better result. He also advocated for broader expansion of Medicaid in all states and suggested that appropriate penalties were needed to ensure that all individuals had health insurance that would be available to them at a wide range of price points and coverage.[5]

Personal

He lives with his wife and five children in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and maintains a summer home on the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, where he grew up.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Connolly, Sean. "8 Democrats Seek Lieutenant Governor Nomination", The Morning Call, March 12, 1994. Accessed December 1, 2014. "Dan Hilferty, 37, is a corporate vice president at Mercy Hospital Corp. in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County. Between 1990 and 1992, Hilferty served with the Casey administration as the executive director of PennPorts, which promotes Pennsylvania's port operations and trade activity."
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Daniel J. Hilferty: President and CEO", Independence Blue Cross. Accessed December 1, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Staff reports. "St. Augustine Prep honors Dan Hilferty with Mendel Medal", Ocean City Gazette, November 24, 2014. Accessed December 1, 2014. "Ocean City native, and 1974 graduate of St. Augustine Prep, Daniel J. Hilferty received the 2014 Gregor Mendel Medal at dinner held in his honor at the Union League of Philadelphia on Nov. 13."
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Daniel J. Hilferty, Saint Joseph's University. Accessed December 1, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 George, John. "A Q&A With Daniel J. Hilferty; Hilferty turned down Ross Perot and more", Philadelphia Business Journal, May 24, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015.
  6. ↑ Von Bergen, Jane M. "Independence Blue Cross' Hilferty realizes: He's a pretty good leader", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 2013. Accessed December 1, 2014.
  7. ↑ Von Bergen, Jane M. "From basketball to healthcare: Net gain for Independence Blue Cross' Hilferty", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 12, 2013. Accessed December 2, 2014. "'After college, I joined a group similar to the Peace Corps called the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and ran a community center in Portland, Oregon. We needed funding and I went to City Hall to get funding. I realized that a) I really enjoyed community service, and b) being involved in the political process,' he said."