ST. LOUIS, Missouri, January 26, 2022 – The St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition (BHC), the region’s only organization focused solely on representing the purchaser perspective on health care, is celebrating its 40th year. Founded in 1982 by a small group of leading employers, the coalition now serves nearly 70 member organizations across the U.S. that provide health benefits to thousands of lives in Missouri and millions nationally. In collaboration with local health system, health plan, and other community partners, the BHC has worked to advance its mission of supporting employer efforts to improve workforce well-being and the value of health benefit investments.

The coalition’s history and success would not be possible without the guidance of its Board of Directors, comprised of experienced human resources and benefits professionals from the region’s top businesses. The New Year kicked off with the announcement of new Executive Committee leadership, as the BHC welcomes 2022-2023 Board President, Dave Toben, Director of Benefits, for Bi-State Development/Metro Transit.

"The BHC has played an important role in advancing health care in our region for decades, and I am honored to serve as Board President during such a momentous time in the organization's history," said Dave Toben. "As we embark on our 40th year, I am eager to continue strong collaborations with fellow employer purchasers, seeking higher quality and more affordable health benefits for our employees and their family members."

Other Executive Committee leaders include Vice President  John Ziegler (Arch Resources), Treasurer Marla Langenhorst  (Ameren Corporation), and Member-at-Large Bryan Kassing (Concordia Plan Services). The BHC also looks forward to insights from four new Board members, inducted for their first three-year terms:

Linda Brady
Healthcare Strategy & Policy
The Boeing Company

Valerie Peters
Vice President, Human Resources
Olin Corporation

Margo Quinlan
VP, Total Rewards/Payroll HCM
Schnuck Markets, Inc.

Chad Thompson
Corporate General Manager of HR
North American Lighting, Inc.

In addition to serving its employer members with education/networking events, group-purchased benefit offerings, well-being programming, and data benchmarking tools, the BHC will focus on several priority projects during the 2022 year. These include multi-stakeholder partnerships to improve overall health and the value of health care across our region. The BHC and its Board are also engaged in health policy and legislative discussions on a state and national level, ensuring that the interests of those buying and using employer-sponsored health coverage are represented. 

To stay informed of these efforts or to view a full list of BHC’s Board of Directors and membership, please visit www.stlbhc.org. Community partners are also encouraged to follow the BHC on Twitter and LinkedIn to join in this year’s anniversary celebration using the hashtag #BHCturns40.