The Parker Group, Inc. announces the addition of Mr. James Pennington as President of American Administrative Group, Inc. (AAG), a leading, national third party health care administrator, and the appointment of Mr. Ed Whitton as President of AmeriScript, a nationally recognized full service prescription benefit manager.
Mr. Pennington joined The Parker Group as President of its TPA Division, effective January 2008. Mr. Pennington has a long history in the employee benefits arena with experience in all facets of delivering an integrated health care solution. Most recently, Mr. Pennington was President and CEO of ppoNEXT, a nationally focused preferred provider organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Prior to joining ppoNEXT, he spent 20 years in the TPA world as President and CEO of USI Administrators. USIA was a fully integrated health care outsourcing company with care management, PBM and fully insured and self funded administrative capabilities. USIA had offices in Texas, New York, Georgia, Connecticut, Nevada and California and was the employee benefit administration arm of USI Insurance Services. In addition to USIA, Mr. Pennington was previously President and CEO of Acordia National, the TPA arm of Acordia, now Wells Fargo Insurance, and President and CEO of Medex International, Inc., a division of Houston Casualty Company. Mr. Pennington earned a BS degree in Journalism and a Masters Degree in Safety Management from West Virginia University.
Ed Whitton accepted the position of President for AmeriScript, a national prescription benefit manager. He joined AAG in 1998 as Executive Vice President of Client Service and Sales and served as interim President for the past seven months. His extensive background includes 25 years experience in group insurance and financial services. Prior to joining AAG in 1998, he was CEO and shareholder of a regional third party administrator of health benefit plans and brokerage operation in Jackson, Mississippi. Whitton received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Mississippi College and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1976.
Pennington and Whitton were selected from a very rich pool of candidates because of their vision for innovation and insightful leadership. “We have gained strength and experience to our talented and motivated management team with the appointments of Jim and Ed,” stated Ted Parker, Chairman and CEO of The Parker Group. “Our goal at The Parker Group is to continuously exceed clients’ expectations because we recognize that our future depends on providing clients with value, quality and service they deserve.”
About American Administrative Group
AAG’s corporate claims office is located in Lisle, Illinois with offices coast-to-coast. AAG provides health care administrative services to self-insured active employee and retiree populations. The company delivers a comprehensive set of administrative care management solutions for employers seeking an experienced, trusted partner to ensure that every detail is covered. To learn more about AAG, visit www.aagco.com.
About AmeriScript
AmeriScript was founded in 1986 and is located in Stow, Ohio. Since its establishment, AmeriScript has grown steadily by providing a long-term commitment to clients. AmeriScript is best characterized as an organization whose paramount concerns are improving patient health and providing outstanding member service and account management. To learn more about AmeriScript, please visit www.ameriscript.com.
About The Parker Group, Inc.
The Parker Group, Inc. was founded in 1983 and led by Ted Parker, Chairman and CEO. The company is headquartered in Lubbock, Texas and plans to move to Dallas/Ft. Worth early 2008. The Parker Group brings value-driven health care to a nationwide client base and is comprised of distinct but synergistically linked business units within the health care marketplace. Companies include American Administrative Group, 6th largest employee benefit third party administrator; AmeriScript, full-service prescription benefit manager; CareVu Corporation, information technology provider; Free First Healthcare Clinics, on-site health care clinics; HealthSmart Preferred Care, leading independent PPO in Texas; Interplan Health Group, nationally recognized PPO and Q-elements, URAC accredited, full-service care management company. To learn more about The Parker Group, visit www.theparkergroup.com.