Kenneth Melani

Kenneth R. Melani is the former president and chief executive officer of Highmark, a health insurance company based in Pittsburgh and the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania. Before his abrupt departure from Highmark in 2012, he was one of the most powerful health insurance executives in the country. He grew up in Arnold, Pennsylvania, where his childhood home nearly caved-in due to mine subsidence. He married in 1975 and had two daughters with his first wife. He pushed Blue Cross towards the managed care model of health services delivery, a move that proved to be prescient as that model would control over 85% of the market by 1996.

Personal issues and termination from Highmark On March 25, 2012, Melani was involved in a domestic dispute in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. On April 1, 2012, his employment with Highmark was terminated. He was charged with criminal trespass and simple assault and went on an unpaid leave of absence from Highmark. The incident had an immediate impact on Highmark, as it had come amid the controversial attempt to acquire West Penn. Even Moody's Investors Service downgraded Highmark's credit rating.

With respect to Melani's ongoing feud with UPMC, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said "When the story became public, you could almost hear the gleeful scorn emanating from UPMC corporate suites...and now the good doctor has handed (UPMC President) Mr. Romoff another arrow for his "get Highmark" quiver."

That June, Melani's charges were withdrawn after he completed anger management classes.

Awards and service He was awarded W&J College's "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" in 2009.

He has served on the Washington & Jefferson College board of trustees.