Mark L. Barnard

Mark L. Barnard is the Executive Vice President of Government Programs (GP) and Operations for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

In his role as Executive Vice President Government Programs (GP) and Operations, Mr. Barnard is responsible for a wide range of operations across the Company, including Service; Business Process Improvement; Enterprise Project Management Office; Mandates and Payment Integrity; Cyber Security; Special Investigations Unit; Business Continuity; Corporate Security; and Facilities.

Mr. Barnard also leads the Government Programs business unit, and in that role has end-to-end responsibility and full accountability for P & L (profit and loss) performance related to the Government Programs market segments, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental (Medigap), Medicaid, Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP), and Managed Long-Term Services and Support (MLTSS).

Prior to joining Horizon BCBSNJ in 2006, Mr. Barnard was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Account Service Company (NASCO), an Atlanta-based IT infrastructure provider for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans nationwide. Mr. Barnard spent six years at NASCO in roles of increasing responsibility, and 16 years with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) where he was ultimately responsible for overseeing all EDS operations for various Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans across the country. In addition, as Vice President at The MEDSTAT® Group, Mr. Barnard had responsibility for Client Services and Product Development.

Raised in northern Michigan, Mr. Barnard earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education from Michigan State University. Prior to his career in health care, Mr. Barnard taught mathematics at the high school level and coached wrestling. Active in community affairs, Mr. Barnard serves on the boards of directors of several non-profit groups, and is an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, both nationally and internationally, and for the Boy Scouts of America.