Rick Hess (Aetna) As Executive Director, Joint Ventures Strategy and Planning, Mr. Rick Hess drives the design and execution of the operating plans for Aetna’s Joint Venture markets with a focus on achieving objectives through growth, advancing Aetna’s relationship with its provider partners and transforming the way value-based care is delivered locally.
Prior to joining Aetna, Rick served as the Global Lead of Alexion Pharmaceutical’s Complement Diagnostic Strategy. Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by complement mediated rare diseases. Prior to the role, Rick served in positions of increasing authority in Corporate Strategy and Research & Development with responsibilities ranging from managing merger and acquisition initiatives to leading the post-merger integration of an acquisition’s R&D department.
Rick has over eighteen years of experience designing and executing strategies to drive growth and streamline operations. He has a background in management consulting serving the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and financial services industries; with clients ranging in size from Fortune 50 to start-ups. Rick also leverages the leadership experience he earned from his time as an Officer and combat pilot in the United States Navy where he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mr. Hess earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Rady School of Management at University of California San Diego where he concentrated his studies in strategy and operations. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also holds certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and PMI Project Management Professional (PMP).