Our Leadership
Vālenz® Health is governed by a Board of Directors comprising a range of business, finance and health industry experts.
Our executive leadership team includes:
Rob Gelb
Chief Executive Officer
An accomplished executive leader with a proven record of strategic and tactical success across his 30+ year career, Rob is best known for inspiring and leading the development of the self-insured industry’s first truly integrated clinical advocacy and cost containment ecosystem. Rob is widely regarded in the industry for being a results-driven leader and his commitment to a high-performance, “yes, and” culture, and use of data and analytically driven approaches that simplify the complexities of self-insurance.
Larry Eisel, CPA, CMA, CGMA
Chief Financial Officer
Once named CFO of the Year by Financial Executives International and Outstanding CFO by the Phoenix Business Journal, Larry is an innovative and results-driven financial leader. A nationally and internationally certified accountant, Larry’s experience in finance spans more than three decades. Prior to joining Valenz in 2019, he served for 11 years as CFO of Total Transit, a privately owned holding company that included Veyo, a healthcare logistics data analytics firm. Larry has an accounting degree from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Nathan Nelson
Chief Revenue Officer
Nathan’s career includes 20+ years of proven success in sales and account management for the healthcare industry, primarily in the managed care segment. He has expertise in claim management, workers’ compensation, underwriting and sales management. Nathan graduated magna cum laude with an MBA in Business from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Amy Gasbarro
Chief Care Officer
Amy’s career spans more than 20 years of executive leadership at companies focused on population health and cost management solutions for self-funded employer group plans. Prior to joining Valenz in 2018, Amy worked for Medical Cost Management Corporation, where she held such positions as VP of Operations, COO and President during her long tenure. Today, in addition to her role as CCO, Amy serves on the Self-Insurance Institute of America (SIIA) Board of Directors and its No Surprises and Transparency Workgroup. She is a past Trustee on the SIIA Political Action Committee.
John Paolacci, MBA
Chief Claims Officer
John leads the Validation, Integrity and Accuracy (VIA) of claims and payments, implementing tech-enabled solutions that support a robust claim infrastructure for accelerated and streamlined claim operations. A results-driven, solutions-oriented leader with deep expertise in managed care and cost containment, John holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.
Maurice Steenland
Chief Product Officer
As an executive team member with 20+ years of senior leadership experience at healthcare-related organizations, Maurice enables development, growth and scale for the ecosystem product suite. Before joining Valenz, Maurice held operations, informatics and product leadership positions with Optum, CIGNA Healthcare, Coventry Health Care and Intracorp, and he earned his MBA from The Wharton School.
Ed Zwicker, MBA
Chief Information Officer
With 35 years’ experience in design, development, and implementation of highly robust data systems and business intelligence applications, Ed creates and executes IT initiatives and data strategies that align with business goals. A mentor and trusted leader who proactively drives projects and programs, Ed achieves exceptional business results and excels at fostering partnerships between IT and business teams.
Brad Lewis
Executive Vice President, Business Development
With 40 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Brad offers deep expertise in claims, underwriting, auditing, account management and marketing. After beginning his career with the Brougher Insurance Group, he became executive vice president and a founding member of IMG-Stop Loss in 1998. Nearly 20 years later, Brad was one of four principals who transitioned IMG-Stop Loss to its current incarnation as Certus Management Group, which became a Valenz Affinity Company in 2022.
Jordan Hersh, MBA
Senior Vice President, Channel Distribution
Since 2007, Jordan’s career has been dedicated to solving cost-related healthcare challenges for employers and companies of all sizes. He leads innovation in channel distribution and has extensive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, product marketing, account management and sales strategy.
Beth Madden, CEBS
Senior Vice President, Operations
With more than 25 years’ experience in the self-funded industry, Beth is proficient in providing underwriting oversight, actuarial and program management services for Certus Management Group. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and CEBS and GBA designations from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits, Wharton School of Business.
TJ Morrison
Senior Vice President, Strategy
For more than 15 years, TJ has driven innovations that pave new ways for self-funded employers to control claim costs. Drawing from his deep experience with brokerages and TPAs, he created KISx Card, LLC in 2016, starting with one orthopedic outpatient surgery practice that wanted to deliver bundled transparent pricing to local employers. KISx Card went on to become one of the nation’s largest direct-contracting surgery and imaging networks. TJ graduated from Rider University with a degree in Business Administration – Entrepreneurial Studies.
Kevin O’Donnell, MPA
Senior Vice President, Product & Marketing
With more than a decade of expertise in operations, change management, payment integrity and claims quality, Kevin leads the expansion and integration of Valenz ecosystem solutions for providers and payers. Previously Kevin was with Evolent Health and Navigant. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in health and human services from the University of Arizona.
Stefani Voorhees, SHRM-SCP
Senior Vice President, People
An innovative leader in human resources, employee engagement and organizational strategy, Stefani develops and implements people-focused programs that drive an outstanding workplace culture and experience. She also led HR programs at Companion Protect, BranchPattern, PeopleAdmin and Modis. Stefani holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management.
Brian Campbell
Vice President, Client Services
With his extensive track record of putting clients first to help them succeed, Brian is solutions-focused and dedicated to delivering results. His experience includes 20+ years leading national accounts in commercial insurance, workers’ compensation, reinsurance and more. He is a proud graduate of Kansas State University, where he studied Marketing and International Business.
Eric Hanna
Vice President, Claim and Access Solutions
Eric’s 15 years of experience with Valenz include key roles that range from claims analysis to implementation management and network contracting. He has a strong reputation for going the extra mile to deliver results for his team, and his dedication to client success is undeniable. Eric was selected for the Valenz Extended Leadership Team (ELT) in 2019. He graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and Management from Northern Arizona University.
Suzann Chesek, BSN, RN, MBA, CCM
Vice President, Care
Suzann’s rich blend of leadership skills and technical expertise supports Valenz Care clients with superior capabilities in planning, decision-making and change management. Before joining Valenz in 2022, she spent 20 years with managed care and healthcare organizations, holding key positions in clinical operations for Trustmark Health Benefits, Holy Spirit Health System and Wellspan Health. In addition, she has served as an ICU nurse in multiple roles. With an MBA in Healthcare Management, Suzann is pursuing a second master’s degree in Management & Leadership.
Aaron Prose
Vice President, Enterprise Analytics
With 20 years’ experience in software strategy, development, implementation and support, Aaron oversees data analytics within the Valenz ecosystem/v-Lens environment. He excels in the strategic use of data to support business efficiencies and decision-enablement across the ecosystem. Aaron has a background in Computer Engineering and deep expertise in predictive modeling and analytics.
Mike Reese
Vice President, Member Advocacy
With 15-plus years in operational leadership and business development, Mike brings a solution-oriented approach to everything from client relationships and cost-containment strategies to human resources, training programs, compliance monitoring and more. Before joining Valenz, his career background included management and executive positions with KISx Card, Cintas, and YTA Transportation Services. Mike holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Brian Miller
Director, Client Management, KISx
Brian spearheaded the development, implementation and operation of KIS Imaging when KISx Card, LLC partnered with his former company One Call, where he oversaw the Group Health diagnostic imaging program as Senior National Accounts Manager. He brings 20 years of management experience and excellence in client relationships to his role at Valenz. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Montclair State University.
Whitney Morrison
Director, Clinical Advocacy, Nursing
A Registered Nurse, Whitney also has deep experience working with members and employers in case management and utilization review. Most recently, she directed the KISx Card Program, coordinating surgeries and procedures while fostering member engagement and education. She also led the program’s nurse concierge department after beginning her career in the hospital setting within orthopedics, cardiac, neurology and trauma surgery. Whitney earned her nursing degree from York College of Pennsylvania.
Kurt Smith
Corporate Information Security Officer
With over 30 years of experience in information technology, Kurt possesses a strong background in information security with a focus on cybersecurity in the healthcare field. He has a demonstrated track record of building and maintaining highly skilled and effective security teams and security programs. Kurt holds his ISC2 – CISSP and GIAC – GSEC certifications.
