CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Leadership Appointed to Key Governor-Elect Transition Policy Committees
CareFirst’s CEO and President and its Chief of Staff will support Maryland’s historically inclusive leadership transition team
Governor-Elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller have appointed CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s (CareFirst) President and CEO, Brian D. Pieninck, and Chief of Staff, Lester Davis, to key executive policy committees on their transition team. Pieninck will serve on the Health Committee and Davis on the Transportation Committee.
CareFirst Board of Directors chair, Dr. Charlene Mickens Dukes, was also appointed to the Governor-Elect's transition team as co-chair of the Education Executive Policy Committee. Dr. Dukes was the first female President of Prince George’s Community College and former President of the Maryland State Board of Education.
“At CareFirst, we are uniquely focused on opportunities to dramatically improve public health outcomes by strategically focusing on community partnerships that help expand access and affordability for the members we serve,” said Pieninck. “The research is clear that economic, environmental, and social conditions in communities where people live, work, and play are the most significant factors in people’s health and health outlook. Physical and economic wellness depends on more than just clinical interventions. Engaging in the work of the gubernatorial transition will create more opportunities that will ultimately lead to healthier, more equitable, and vibrant communities in Maryland.”
Pieninck serves on the board of the Greater Baltimore Committee and is co-chair of the CIAA Tournament, the nation's oldest historically Black collegiate athletic conference that in 2022 had a positive economic impact of nearly $20 million in Baltimore City.
Pieninck’s community involvement centers on equitably advancing opportunities at the intersection of health and economic wellbeing.
“These efforts create new economic activity, address critical issues facing people in our many communities and drive an inclusive economic growth strategy for our region,” Pieninck said. “Equitable growth is all about improving the whole health of the communities we serve. When we’re talking about inclusive access and opportunities to wealth-building throughout our communities, we’re really talking about the environmental and social circumstances that impact health. I’m thrilled to support Governor-Elect Moore’s transition team on the Health Committee and look forward to helping our newly elected state leaders outline a broad, equitable, comprehensive plan for improving our whole community’s health.”
Davis, who formerly worked on transportation policy as head of government affairs for the Baltimore City Council and mayor's office, acknowledged that quality, equitable transportation is essential to building stronger, healthier communities.
“Transportation is a critical issue facing the region, and a key public health priority for CareFirst,” said Davis. “Better transit is imperative to health equity solutions for the region and the long-term health of the workforce and regional economy. We need equitable transit to create more opportunities for everyone in the region to fulfill their human potential — across all aspects of their lives."
Davis added, “To ensure a healthy future for our children, they need safe and efficient transportation to school, and cleaner air as a benefit of transit systems. I look forward to speaking on behalf of CareFirst and its many stakeholders as the new administration forges key transportation policy priorities.”
Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller said in a statement released by the Governor-Elect’s transition office that she looks forward to working with this historically diverse team. “The members of our Executive Policy Committee, who represent all corners of this state, are dedicated to creating a bold policy agenda that honors the Governor-Elect’s and my promise to leave no one behind,” said Miller.