John Cannon
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, WellPoint, Inc.
Member
John Cannon is interim president and chief executive officer of WellPoint, Inc., one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies in terms of medical membership, with approximately 34 million—or one in nine—Americans nationwide covered through its affiliated health plans. WellPoint offers leading health benefits plans as well as specialty products and services designed to provide quality and value to its customers.
In 2011, WellPoint generated operating revenue of $59.9 billion and employed approximately 37,000 associates. WellPoint primarily does business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia or Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and its mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities.
Under Mr. Cannon’s leadership, WellPoint continues its commitment to offering consumers more affordable and convenient access to high-quality health care, and a better overall health care experience.
Prior to becoming interim president and CEO, Mr. Cannon served as executive vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary and chief public affairs officer at WellPoint, Inc., overseeing legal strategy, legal compliance, litigation, regulatory and board matters, government affairs, corporate communications and corporate security. He also supported the Board in developing and maintaining best practices in governance policies and procedures. Mr. Cannon joined WellPoint, Inc. on Dec. 10, 2007.
Mr. Cannon spent 19 years with CIGNA Corporation in a variety of increasingly responsible roles, including senior vice president and deputy general counsel before joining WellPoint, Inc. He was also responsible for public affairs at CIGNA, which included government affairs, communications and corporate branding strategy.
Mr. Cannon also served as president of the CIGNA Foundation as well as chief counsel for CIGNA Healthcare and CIGNA International.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Cannon was an attorney with Rawle & Henderson in Philadelphia, where he specialized in litigation and securities law. Mr. Cannon is a graduate of Denison University in Ohio and The Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University.