New UnitedHealthcare CEO strives for continuity

By Nicole Lucht

Friday, May 22, 2009 | 3 a.m.

UnitedHealthcare Nevada’s senior vice president of sales and marketing has been promoted to CEO beginning in mid-June.

This marks the second time in two years that the position has had to be filled.

Don Giancursio will replace Jonathon Bunker, who stepped into the leadership role in February 2008 after Sierra Health Services founder Dr. Anthony Marlon retired.

Marlon sold Sierra Health to UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group, for $2.6 billion last year.

Bunker is resigning to lead a voluntary mission in the Santa Rosa, Calif., region for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the next three years.

“If there was one word to really characterize what my goal is, it would be continuity,” Giancursio said. “I want to build upon what I think is the most successful model for a health care delivery system and a health care insurance company that exists in Nevada.”

Giancursio called it a “phenomenal benefit” to have worked for Marlon and Bunker during his career at Sierra.

“Both of those gentlemen are phenomenal leaders and mentors,” he said. “Those are two people that had a big impact on me and I want to keep moving forward with the successful things we’ve done here.”

After college, Giancursio started his career in 1982 in the industry with a job at a health care company in California. After a few years as an underwriter of health insurance policies, he made the switch to sales, where he has remained throughout his career. In 1996, he joined Sierra Health as vice president of sales and marketing for the western region, later becoming president of sales for the managed health care division until 2006, when he was promoted to his current position in sales and marketing.

He has been in senior management positions for about 15 years.

“Periodically I like to get back in the trenches,” Giancursio said. “I do enjoy the game, to coach it. It’s another thing to play it. I still have the passion to play.”

The first thing the company has to do is “weather this economic storm,” he said. “Nevada unfortunately has been hit harder than most,” Giancursio said. “Our goal will continue to provide affordable, comprehensive, quality programs for employers and individuals.”

He characterizes his leadership style as “quiet,” gathering information from his staff, get input and then making the decision.

“Big things happen through a series of small, well-coordinated steps,” he said. “My style is one of building consensus. I’m not afraid to make decisions, but I like to make decisions based on having the right information, or at least the best available information.

“For what it’s worth, that’s the style that has gotten me this far.”

The company, first as Sierra Health, and then as UnitedHealthcare Nevada, has gone through great growth over the past 10 years, he said.

UnitedHealthcare’s Nevada operations are unique in the market. Not only does it offer insurance, but it also operates Southwest Medical Associates, a large group of doctors.

“I don’t see our business model changing,” he said. “I think it will continue to evolve. We’ll continue to refine it.”

Giancursio said he is excited about the opportunity to serve as UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in Nevada.

“We have great people here (and) we have a great seasoned team,” he said. “I feel, quite candidly, very privileged to have been given this opportunity. It means a lot to me ... I’m taking a very personal role in my new responsibilities.”