Executive Officers
David T. Blair
Chief Executive Officer
David Blair is Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSI), (formerly HealthExtras, Inc.). Mr. Blair joined the Company in 1997 as Chief Financial Officer and subsequently spearheaded a successful national marketing research campaign to develop the Company’s supplemental benefits programs, resulting in record growth. In 1999, Mr. Blair was named the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company’s Board of Directors.
In 2001, Mr. Blair launched a major initiative to complement the Company’s supplemental benefits and expanded into the pharmacy benefit management industry through selective acquisitions and strategic investments. Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. has experienced a rate of growth substantially greater than its competitors and positioned itself as a market leader in providing superior quality of care and unbiased pharmacy benefit management solutions. The company maintains a strong focus on innovation, efficiency, and superior service and has a long-standing commitment to transparency and flexible pricing options from traditional to fully pass-through.
With a commitment to innovation and a unique knowledge of the healthcare industry, Mr. Blair has steered Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. from a small regional player to a nationally recognized healthcare company. In the two most recent consecutive years, Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. has been awarded the top customer satisfaction ratings for “Overall Service and Performance” in the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Customer Satisfaction Report. The Company also maintains a consistent presence on the “fastest growing” lists in Fortune Magazine, the Washington Post and Forbes Magazine.
Prior to joining Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., Mr. Blair served in a financial role for United Payors and United Providers, where he contributed to the Company’s initial public offering and several strategic acquisitions. He is a Director of the Leadership Board for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and is a frequent participant in panel discussions and on advisory boards and steering committees where he lends his entrepreneurial skills and expertise in healthcare to advance various initiatives.
Richard Bates
President and Chief Operating Officer
Richard A. Bates, President and Chief Operating Officer of Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., was appointed in June 2010. Mr. Bates manages Catalyst’s overall operations to drive client retention, lead business development efforts, and deliver innovative products and services. He is responsible for Catalyst’s growth agenda, drives our organic growth efforts, and leads the mergers and acquisitions activities.
In August 2009, Mr. Bates joined Catalyst Health Solutions as Executive Vice President. Mr. Bates managed and directed key business teams, including Sales, Strategic Initiatives, Client Services, Marketing, Clinical Program Management, Corporate Clinical Pharmacy Services, Pharmacy Benefits, Pharmacy Administration and Financial Business Operations.
Prior to joining Catalyst, Mr. Bates ran the specialty business division at Coventry Healthcare where he was responsible for the behavioral health, dental, network rental and pharmacy businesses, along with business development for ancillary products and services. Mr. Bates was also a senior executive at United Health Group, Cigna Corporation and Oxford Health Plans.
Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Mr. Bates earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School.
Nick Grujich
Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Operations
Nick Grujich is Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Operations. He joined Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., in 2005 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the Company’s pharmacy benefits management operations, including Client, Clinical and Customer Services, Sales, Network Administration and Mail Service Pharmacy.
In June of 2010, Mr. Grujich was appointed Executive Vice President, Strategic Business Operations. In this role, Mr. Grujich leads the Company’s strategic operating business units and drives product expansion through strategic acquisitions. Mr. Grujich has successfully contributed to the Company’s key initiatives and rapid growth, including the delivery of innovation, transparency and superior service.
Prior to Catalyst, Mr. Grujich served as Vice President of Finance & Administration at Eckerd Health Services, Inc. (EHS), a division of Eckerd Corporation, where he held a key leadership role in managing various facets of the organization. Mr. Grujich was also Director of Finance at Penn Group Medical Associates, a division of Coventry Health Care, Inc.
Mr. Grujich holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Summa Cum Laude, from LaRoche College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Hai Tran
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
Hai Tran was named Catalyst Health Solution Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer in 2008. In this position, Mr. Tran leads all of the company’s financial activities, including financial and performance management, capital strategy and planning, investor relations, as well as corporate development, and is a key strategic contributor.
Since joining Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., Mr. Tran has successfully leveraged his experience in investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, board and governance, finance, and financial reporting to support company growth, playing an integral role in the 2008 acquisition of a mail order facility which provides a mail service option to current and prospective clients, greater level of financial transparency, and higher level of service.
Prior to joining Catalyst Health Solutions, Mr. Tran served as Vice President and Treasurer of Hanger Orthopedic Group, a public healthcare services, products, and distribution company. Prior to Hangar, Mr. Tran served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development and Emerging Solutions for Cadmus Communications, a public printing, packaging, and publishing services company. Mr. Tran’s previous experience also includes finance and operations positions in various industries including technology, software, retail, and consumer products.
Mr. Tran holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Richmond.
Bruce Metge
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Bruce Metge was recruited to join Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2008. In this role, Mr. Metge leads the company’s nationwide legal, compliance, regulatory and corporate governance functions. As a member of Catalyst Health Solutions’ senior leadership team, Mr. Metge is also actively involved in the company’s strategic planning and growth and serves as an advisor to senior management and the Board of Directors.
Mr. Metge possesses an outstanding depth of experience in handling corporate compliance, transactional, litigation and general business matters. Prior to joining Catalyst Health Solutions, Mr. Metge was a partner in the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm based in Washington, DC. At Mintz Levin, Mr. Metge represented a wide range of companies in various industries including telecommunications, technology, biotechnology, consumer products, and venture capital in complex business transactions and antitrust matters, ultimately focusing on public company compliance matters and technology sourcing agreements.
An Illinois native, Mr. Metge holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University, Magna Cum Laude, a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law, and is a nationally ranked tri-athlete.