New CEO Named at State Health Exchange

Sept. 27--Longtime healthcare official James Michel has been named as the new chief executive officer of the state's insurance exchange.

Michel has worked in top positions at the exchange, known as Access Health CT, for more than six years, and has been serving as the interim chief executive officer for the past three months.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, a key leader on healthcare who chairs the exchange's board, said, "Healthcare remains one of the most important focus areas for our state, in particular reducing the uninsured rate among Connecticut residents."

She added, "James Michel's attention to improving the customer experience, ensuring sustainability of the health insurance exchange, and building a healthy culture within the organization provides a platform for continued success."

"The board is in full support of James and his abilities to continue leading Connecticut's fulfillment of the Affordable Care Act, despite political headwinds," said Robert Tessier, the exchange's vice chairman. "The values-based approach that he, other leaders at the exchange and employees have developed together, is one example of his ability to bring people together for the benefit of many. As we head into another open enrollment season, we are confident in his leadership."

During his career with the exchange, Michel served as operations manager before becoming the operations director in June 2014. He was later promoted to finance director in June 2017.

Before working at the exchange, Michel served for nine years at the Metropolitan District Commission as chief financial officer and later worked for eight years in Aetna's finance department as an audit director.

After graduating from Brooklyn College with a bachelor of science degree in accounting, Michel also graduated from the University of Hartford with an MBA degree.

A native of Haiti and a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves for 18 years, Michel currently lives in Bloomfield, where he served on the local school board for three terms.

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