Health-care insurer WellPoint Inc. has named Thomas Zielinski as executive vice president and general counsel. He replaces John Cannon, who was terminated without cause in February. Cannon had served as interim CEO for a seven-month period and compensation reports showed he was entitled to $5 million in severance, unless another agreement was negotiated. He left the company March 3. Zielinski will start his new role in early June.
“Tom is deeply knowledgeable in health care, with more than 20 years’ experience in health care related matters and litigation, serving as a partner in two national law firms, as well as 12 years as the general counsel at Coventry Health Care,” said Joseph Swedish, CEO of WellPoint, in a statement. “He will be a tremendous asset to our team as our company focuses on transforming health care with trusted and caring solutions.”
