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News of promotions, hires, and partnerships in the employee benefits industry includes the following that has crossed our desk. Some announcements were made earlier and the principals involved are already settled in to their new roles or partnerships.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona announced a partnership to offer the Sharecare platform, founded by Jeff Arnold and Dr. Mehmet Oz, to members or commercial customer groups. Arizonans can download Sharecare to learn their RealAge, earn green days and follow a personalized journey to better health, and Arizonans who are BCBSAZ members will have enhanced Sharecare services.

Timothy Kastrinelis has been appointed National Director, Partnership Development at Purchasing Power. The newly-created national role will focus on strengthening and expanding intermediary business partner relationships at the senior executive level with top employee benefit consulting and brokerage firms.

Brightway Insurance announced that cofounder Michael Miller will assume the role of President and CEO. In addition, the company is making these changes to its executive team:

Leslie Kolleda-Wright, formerly V.P., Agency Growth & Development, is now Chief of Staff.
Scott Pollard, formerly Director of Agency Development and Carrier Relations is now V.P., Agency Growth & Development.
Chip Hyers has joined the company as V.P., Sales.

New York Life announced that Richard White has joined its Retail Life business as Chief Data Officer. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of data strategy and data governance on behalf of the Retail Life business.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) announced new staff additions and a promotion within its State Affairs department. Sam Hallemeier joins as Director, State Affairs, Michelle Mack also joins as Director, State Affairs, and Connor Rose is promoted to Director, State Affairs.

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance announced that it awarded GetInsured, a health insurance marketplace platform provider, a five-year contract to develop and operate the technology platform for New Jersey's State-Based Health Insurance Exchange.

Mercer Global Advisors announced the acquisition of CCP, a wealth management firm located in Chicago. Owner Steve Roberts, CFP, MBA will be joining the Mercer Advisors' team along with Carin Pankros Roman, CFP and the entire CCP staff.

Virgin Pulse has announced two acquisitions: With Yaro, Virgin Pulse launches Virgin Pulse Navigate, a benefits navigation solution, and with Blue Mesa Health, Virgin Pulse launches its first digital therapeutics offering, Virgin Pulse Transform.

FusionHealth and Nox Medical have joined forces to form sleep health solution provider Nox Health. Nox Medical's diagnostics and data bring reporting capabilities and analysis to FusionHealth's SleepCharge solution. The company's headquarters remain in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nationwide announced a new $160 million investment to reskill and upskill its workforce and increase bonus incentive targets. In addition, the company is enhancing benefits and introducing a Summer Fridays pilot in 2020.

Benefitfocus announced Annmarie Fini was promoted to Executive Vice President of Customer Success. Fini leads the company's Customer Success Organization, overseeing the end-to-end experience for Benefitfocus' customers and partners.

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Benefits industry newsmakers: Benefitfocus, Nationwide, Nox Health, Virgin Pulse & more

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