General Session: Fireside Chat Discussing Topics of Greatest Importance to the Industry
Wednesday, September 25
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM (CT)
At one point or another, we have all wondered with colleagues about the future of our company and industry. But most of us need more purview to fully assess the challenges and opportunities. In this “fireside chat,” NADP member company CEOs will cordially discuss the topics of the greatest importance to our industry—looking at today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Mike Adelberg (moderator)
Executive Director
National Association of Dental Plans
In November 2022, Michael (Mike) Adelberg joined NADP as Executive Director. Adelberg comes to NADP after leading Faegre Drinker Consulting’s healthcare provider and plans practice in Washington, DC, where his practice was largely focused on insurance benefits, including dental benefits. Before joining Faegre Drinker Consulting, Mike held several senior positions within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Adelberg was responsible for establishing the Affordable Care Act policy for pediatric dental coverage and stand-alone dental plans. Before that, he oversaw Medicare Advantage plan contracting and market conduct, including supplemental dental benefits.
Adelberg holds a master’s degrees in Public Policy and Administration from Northern Illinois University, and History from Rutgers University. He’s authored or co-authored studies in leading journals such as Health Affairs, the American Journal of Managed Care, and Health Services Research, led or co-led four foundation projects, and has been quoted in leading media including the New York Times, Washington Post, and NPR.org.
Rob Goren
President and CEO
Delta Dental of Missouri
Rob Goren is president and CEO at Delta Dental of Missouri, the state’s leading dental benefits provider and a non-profit organization, which serves more than 2.3M members nationwide. At the helm of this role since 2015, Rob has been responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations, culture, and successes. He helps shape overall strategy and direction for short- and long-term business initiatives and drives growth and revenue to fulfill the organization’s ongoing social mission to improve oral health. Rob serves on Delta Dental of Missouri’s Board of Directors and is the direct liaison between fellow Board members and his corporate management team. Rob joined Delta Dental of Missouri in 2009 and served as chief actuary and senior vice president of business development before assuming his current role. He has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Before his tenure at Delta Dental, Mr. Goren served as director and consulting actuary at Buck Consultants in its Atlanta Health and Productivity Practice, and as vice president of actuarial and underwriting at CompBenefits Corporation, where he led the company’s dental and vision actuarial and underwriting departments. Mr. Goren also served in actuarial consulting roles with Milliman and Hewitt. He began his career as an elementary school teacher in Cobb County, Georgia, teaching second and fifth grades. Rob is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and an American Academy of Actuaries member. He previously served as chair and vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental member companies, which collectively cover 90M Americans. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Actuarial Science degree from Georgia State University. He and his wife reside in St. Louis, Missouri, and have two grown children.
Jason Heffelfinger
Chief Executive Officer
Dental Care Alliance (DCA)
Jason Heffelfinger was named Chief Executive Officer of Dental Care Alliance (DCA) in November 2023. In his role, Heffelfinger spearheads DCA’s mission to continue evolving the industry by taking a modern, technology-driven approach to dentistry without departing from DCA’s sole purpose of caring for patients. He collaborates closely with DCA’s community of dental professionals and partners to implement forward-thinking strategies that elevate patient experiences and advance the standards of dental care nationwide. Additionally, Heffelfinger champions a culture of excellence within DCA, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and patient-centric care.
Before his appointment to DCA’s executive leadership team, Heffelfinger served as the Chief Services Officer for Petco, a health and wellness company, focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco’s partners. His leadership helped Petco deliver double-digit sales and EBITDA growth across all service businesses, including one of the fastest-growing vet hospital buildouts ever in the industry.
Heffelfinger holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned an executive master’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. Under Heffelfinger’s leadership, DCA is poised for continued success in supporting dental professionals in their communities while providing exceptional care and services nationwide.
Scott Towers
President, Specialty Business Commercial Health Benefits
Elevance Health
Scott Towers is president of specialty businesses, including dental, vision, and supplemental health, within the Commercial Health Benefits Division of Elevance Health (formerly Anthem, Inc.). Mr. Towers is responsible for managing profit & loss and membership for these products across the enterprise, with accountability for product development, clinical issues, utilization management, network development & management, strategy, and Specialty partner administration. Mr. Towers has been an instrumental leader in Anthem’s Specialty division with a total of more than 27 years of experience. He joined Elevance Health in 2009 with the acquisition of DeCare Dental. Prior to Elevance Health, Mr. Towers led Underwriting teams at DeCare Dental and Delta Dental of Minnesota for more than 10 years. Scott has a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A. Carlson School of Management.
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