Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday in Manhattan, where the company hosted an investor day.
Thompson, 50, was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, in April 2021. He first joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and had previously served as CEO of the company’s government programs, including Medicare and pension coverage, and community and state programs that provide Medicaid and other forms of coverage to millions of individuals.
In his most recent role as CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was responsible for leading growth across the company’s global, employer, individual, specialty and government insurance businesses, according to a 2021 company statement announcing his appointment.
UnitedHealth Group
“Brian’s experience, relationships and values make him uniquely qualified to help UnitedHealthcare improve the way healthcare works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners, leading to sustained and sustainable long-term growth,” Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group. said at the time.
Thompson held other positions during his two decades with the company, including Chief Financial Officer for UnitedHealthcare’s employer and individual, community and state, and Medicare and pension businesses. He also served as financial controller for UnitedHealthcare’s employer and individual businesses and was director of the company’s business development division.
Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Thompson worked as a chartered accountant at accounting firm PwC, according to his biography on networking site LinkedIn. Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and most recently lived in Minnesota.
After the shooting, UnitedHealthcare canceled Wednesday’s meeting with Wall Street analysts and investors, which Thompson was scheduled to attend.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our thoughts go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to us. it.”
Minnesota leaders are shocked
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also weighed in on Thompson’s death. “This is a shocking and devastating loss for our entire community. ‘Shocking’ is the only word I can find at this point,” he said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.
He added in a social media post that Thompson was “an amazing man.”
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar expressed her condolences for Thompson’s family and for United Healthcare employees in the state, calling the shooting “a horrific and shocking act of violence” in a post on X.
In his own post, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for Minnesota’s business community and health care system.”
