Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Health and Fitness 
Wed, March 9, 2011
Tue, March 8, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY), the market-leading well-being improvement company, today announced new appointments to its executive leadership team in support of its strategic direction. James Elrod joins Healthways as Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, and Jeff Klem has been promoted to Vice President, Human Resources. Elrod assumes the role previously held by Clay Richards, who recently transitioned to the role of Vice President, Health Plan Market, while Klem assumes the role previously held by Chris Cigarran, who recently transitioned to the role of Vice President, Employer Market.
"I am especially pleased that most of the team has been promoted from within, demonstrating the strength of our succession planning, processes and execution. These leaders represent the unique combination of skills, knowledge and experience that are required to deliver on our future strategic and operating plans."
By filling these two openings, the addition of Elrod and promotion of Klem completes the Healthways leadership team. The announcement follows the recent executive promotions of Thomas F. Cox to Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and Alfred Lumsdaine to Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, Healthways Chief Executive Officer Ben R. Leedle, Jr., will resume the role of President in addition to his responsibilities as CEO, effective April 1st.
aThe new appointments, recent promotions and other transitions in leadership responsibilities have positioned Healthways for continued success and future growth. We have an exceptionally strong team in place,a said Leedle. aI am especially pleased that most of the team has been promoted from within, demonstrating the strength of our succession planning, processes and execution. These leaders represent the unique combination of skills, knowledge and experience that are required to deliver on our future strategic and operating plans.a
Elrod assumes responsibility for Healthwaysa™ legal and contracting functions. His legal career spans twenty-three years across different industries. Immediately prior to joining Healthways, Elrod served as Chief Legal Officer & Secretary at King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a NYSE-listed company recently acquired by Pfizer, Inc. for $3.6 billion. Prior to joining King, he served in various capacities within the legal department at Service Merchandise Company, Inc.Elrod began his career in the private practice of law at the Nashville law firm of Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Berea College.
Klem was previously responsible for Leadership and Organizational Development at Healthways. Prior to joining Healthways in September 2003, he worked for 14 years as a change management consultant with Andersen Consulting, Aon Consulting and his own firm, Inclusive, Inc. Klem has excelled at supporting leaders through new executive integration, developing personal leadership competencies, and creating culture and people strategies. Klem received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Eastern Illinois University and his Mastera™s in Organizational Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He is a current board member of the Academy of Managementa™s Organization Change Division.
aAn effective executive leadership team is integral to ensure the Companya™s continued growth and evolution as the well-being improvement leader,a continued Leedle. aWith the leadership team now in place, we will continue to lead the market and fulfill customersa™ needs for innovative well-being improvement solutions, while furthering the Healthways mission to create a healthier world, one person at a time.a
About Healthways
Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall costs. Healthways' solutions are designed to keep healthy people healthy, reduce health-related risks and optimize care for those with chronic illness. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited, complementary and alternative Health Provider Network and a national Fitness Center Network, which offer convenient access to health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system for interested individuals. For more information, please visit [ http://www.healthways.com/ ].