WellPoint Appoints Brian A. Sassi as President and CEO of the Company's Consumer Bus...( Leslie A. Margolin Named Presi...),Health

Leslie A. Margolin Named President of Blue Cross of California

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) today announced that Brian A. Sassi has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the company's Consumer Business Unit, which includes the Individual, Senior and State Sponsored (Medicaid) customer segments.

Sassi, formerly president of Blue Cross of California, replaces Joan Herman, who announced her plans last year to retire in 2008. Sassi will begin transitioning into his new role immediately and assume full responsibility on February 1.

"Brian Sassi has a 25-year career in the health insurance industry and an impressive record of accomplishments in our company," said Angela F. Braly, president and chief executive officer of WellPoint, Inc. "His strong combination of market knowledge, operational experience and industry leadership will help ensure continued growth of our Consumer Business Unit, which has been and will continue to be critical to WellPoint's success."

Since joining Blue Cross of California in 1989, Sassi has held a number of leadership roles, including vice president of operations and strategic initiatives, general manager of small group accounts, and general manager of large group accounts. Prior to joining Blue Cross of California, Sassi held a number of industry management positions.

Separately, the company announced that Leslie Margolin will become president and general manager of Blue Cross of California. Margolin will be responsible for health plan management including product and service innovation, underwriting and sales, as well as client and broker relations for both small and large group health coverage. In this role, Margolin is also responsible for the development of Blue Cross of California's long-term strategic direction and collaborating with local and state elected officials to improve the health of Californians. She will join the company
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