Woburn, MA - Russ Kopp has joined Beacon Health Strategies as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kopp most recently served as CFO at Network Health, a Massachusetts-based Medicaid managed care organization. In this capacity, he played a key role in leading Network Health’s finance efforts during a period of significant growth resulting from the Massachusetts healthcare reform law. During his tenure Mr. Kopp initiated and successfully implemented new products under contract with the Commonwealth Connector Authority and redesigned the plan’s IBNR calculation methodology. Mr. Kopp also restructured the plan’s general ledger and reporting to improve efficiencies and analysis, and revamped the corporate organization in order to achieve Massachusetts Division of Insurance licensure. Mr. Kopp was recently recognized as a “CFO of the Year” recipient by the Boston Business Journal.

“I am delighted that Russ has joined Beacon to lead our finance team as we continue to experience significant growth” said President and CEO Timothy Murphy. “Russ brings considerable healthcare and managed care experience to our team, and I am confident that his addition will enable us to better serve our clients and members in coming years.”

Mr. Kopp brings to Beacon over 30 years’ experience in healthcare, primarily in the managed care sector. He has served in senior financial management roles at United Healthcare (Rhode Island), Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Community Health Plan. In addition, he has held finance positions for a hospital provider and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Brian Wheelan will move from the CFO role to intensify his focus on expanding Beacon’s growing business portfolio as the company’s Vice President for Corporate Development and Strategy. In his new position, Mr. Wheelan will direct and oversee market strategy for the company’s core behavioral health services and lead its sales efforts. In addition, he will also investigate and recommend strategies for extending services to adjacent markets and will identify and cultivate business partnership and acquisition opportunities.

“Brian’s proven track record at Beacon over the past two years ideally situates him to lead our efforts in developing new client relationships and business partnerships” continued Murphy. “He will bring intelligence, energy and intensity to his new responsibilities that will help us expand our reach and services.”

As former management consultant with Bain & Co., Mr. Wheelan’s is a recognized healthcare policy expert. His notable achievements as Beacon’s CFO include substantial improvements to the company’s internal operations and controls, restructured financial reporting to better inform strategic and tactical decisions, the creation and leadership of Beacon’s Client Analytics Group, and lead roles in securing debt and equity capital for the company.

Founded in 1996, Beacon Health Strategies is a recognized leader in behavioral health care management services for Medicaid, Medicare and commercial populations. Beacon currently serves approximately two million members in Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington DC with new operations commencing in Florida in 2010. Accredited by both URAC and NCQA, Beacon’s success derives from its member-centric and local administered managed care services, innovative individual and population health clinical programming and delivery of customized solutions meeting the unique needs of each client.