David Gentile
President and CEO
David Gentile became President and CEO on December 1, 2010. Mr. Gentile has 30 years of healthcare management experience including previous positions with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Michael Reese Health Plan. He is currently a board member for the Kansas and Missouri Managed Care Associations, Mid America Coalition on Health Care, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Horizon Academy, and the US Olympics National Group Body, USA Volleyball. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois and attended Northwestern University in the Health Management Administration Program.
Bryan Camerlinck
Group Executive, Financial Services
Bryan Camerlinck was named Group Executive, Financial Services Group in June 2009, which includes responsibilities for Finance, Provider Relations, Corporate Contracting, Medicaid, Enterprise Analytics, and Actuarial, as well as administrative responsibility for Audit Services and oversight of Cobalt, Blue KC’s subsidiary holding company. Mr. Camerlinck is in his 18th year with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, including previous positions of President and CEO of Preferred Health Professionals, Premier WorkComp, and The EPOCH Group, as well as serving in Vice President capacities within Finance and Audit Services. Mr. Camerlinck started his career with Ernst & Young. He is currently an executive board member with The YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and is a volunteer in church and youth activities. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science, Business Administration, in Accounting from Kansas State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Rick Kastner
Group Executive, Legal and Legislative
Rick Kastner is the General Counsel and Group Executive for Legal, Government Relations and Legislative Affairs. As General Counsel, Rick leads the Blue KC Legal Division, which is responsible for providing and coordinating legal services on behalf of the company. His areas of responsibility also include Government Relations, Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Compliance & Privacy, Grievances & Appeals and Contracts & Compliance. Mr. Kastner is a regular contributor and member of National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Legal Committees and Programs. He currently serves as Vice President of the Association’s Legal Department Cooperative. Mr. Kastner represents Blue KC on The Downtown Council of Kansas City and the Missouri Department of Economic Development Regional Planning Team for Economic Growth. His community activities include serving as President of the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, the Kansas City Tomorrow Alumni Association Board of Directors, 4 terms as an elected Precinct Committeeman, “Cubmaster” for Cub Scout Pack and various volunteer positions with the community, church and youth activities. Mr. Kastner is admitted to practice law in Kansas and Missouri. He is a member of the American, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas City Metropolitan and Johnson County Bar Associations. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctorate Degree with honors from Washburn University.
Kevin Sparks
Group Executive, Internal Operations
Kevin Sparks joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City in September 2003 and is currently serving as Group Executive of Internal Operations. Mr. Sparks has responsibility for Strategic Planning, Information Technology, Human Resources, Claims Operations, Membership and Billing Operations, Customer Service, Facilities Services, Real Estate, and Community Outreach. Prior to joining Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, he worked as the Vice President of Technology for Coventry Health Care of Kansas to assist them in the transition of their acquisition of HealthNet, a provider owned health plan in Kansas City. Mr. Sparks served as the Vice President and Chief Information Officer for HealthNet for four of his eight year career with that company. He began his career outside of health care in Aerospace Engineering with Honeywell Systems, formerly AlliedSignal Aerospace. He also worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mr. Sparks is an active member of Blue Cross and Blue Shield District IX and is vice chair of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Business and Technology Executive Committee (BTEC), He is a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Interplan Programs Committee (IPPC) He is former chair of the Blues Strategy Group on TriZetto (BSGT) and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield IT Roundtable. He also serves on the DST Customer Advisory Board, and is the Vice Chair of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Kansas City Chapter Board. He was named as Ingram’s Magazine’s 40 under 40 class of 2006 and Ingram’s Fittest Executives in 2009. Mr. Sparks is an alumni of the Kansas City Civic Council Kansas City Tomorrow program. Kevin is a nationally recognized CIO.
Mr. Sparks holds a Master of Science degree from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas.
Danette Wilson
Group Executive, External Operations
Danette Wilson was appointed Group Executive, External Operations in October 2010. Ms. Wilson also serves as our Chief Marketing Executive. Her responsibilities include oversight for Health and Wellness Solutions, Medical Management, Underwriting, Sales, Marketing and Advertising. Ms. Wilson has over 20 years of experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration.