BENJAMIN A.

SINGER
ROSSMOOR, CA 90720
HOME: 562-936-1466 ~ CELL: 562-810-3463 ~ E-MAIL: benjamin.singer2@verizon.net

PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVE

Astute, creative, talented public relations director with exemplary track record for
developing, managing and implementing strategic communication plans and marketing
campaigns while achieving or exceeding desired goals. Demonstrated success in
defending, building and maintaining an organization’s reputation and credibility through
collaborative and results-driven strategies while fostering relationships with organizational
leadership, consumers, regulators, legislators, advocates and media. An architect whose
programs truly differentiate organizations and allow them to leverage reputation as a
competitive asset in the open marketplace. Results fueled by my initiative, flexibility and
broad industry experience. Team leader and respected mentor with the innate ability to
inspire confidence at all levels.

CORE COMPETENCIES
 Public Relations Planning  Community & Government  Organizational
Affairs Communication
 Issues & Crisis  Market Research  Project & Team Management
Management
 Media Relations  Campaign Analysis &
Measurement

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Spearheaded marketing and PR campaign that garnered 95+ percent customer
retention year-over-year and 98 percent customer referral rate for low-cost
children's health insurance program.
 Co-led internal campaign that secured 600+ employees and $150,000 for March of
Dimes.
 Lead award-winning campaign that resulted in regulatory approval of $2.1 billion
merger between two Orange County-based managed care organizations and
secured favorable media coverage.
 Won national industry award for first-ever campaign that allied a regional managed
care organization with consumer advocates to educate consumers.
 Developed executive messages, coordinated media interviews and employee
communication for leadership to mitigate concerns on turn-around, regulatory
oversight and litigation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ANTHEM BLUE CROSS, Woodland, CA
2008-2009
Blue Cross of California. California’s largest publicly traded health insurer serving 8.2
million members.
Director of Public Relations
 BENJAMIN A. SINGER
ROSSMOOR, CA 90720
HOME: 562-936-1466 ~ CELL: 562-810-3463 ~ E-MAIL: benjamin.singer2@verizon.net
Media spokesperson for this $8+ billion health plan. Responsible for coordinating internal
and external communications to promote its business to consumers, media, legislators
and regulators. Supported Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Government Relations and health
plan's philanthropy including its “Investments in a Healthy California Program”, a low
interest bond portfolio for 'safety net' of rural clinics and hospitals.
 Successfully positioned company in media following passage of SB 853 (mandatory
translation services).
 Wrote and coordinated plan president's keynote speech for 2008 UC Irvine Health
Care Conference.

CALOPTIMA, Orange, CA
2007
An integrated $900 million health care system that administers health insurance programs
for children, low income families and persons with disabilities in Orange County, CA.
CALOPTIMA cont’d…
Executive Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication
Key member of executive team tasked with the internal and external communications
supporting community relations, human resources, government affairs, provider relations
and media relations. Managed staff of three in developing and implementing internal and
external communications including web site content, messaging for regulatory and
operational issues and CEO's quarterly newsletter.
 Led marketing campaign for Healthy Families program – insurance for children of
low income families. Garnered 95+ percent member retention y/o/y and front-page
coverage in O.C. Register.
 Championed Six Sigma Green Belt team website redesign. Completed project and
built new maintenance process in 120 days.
 Partnered on Vietnamese physician relations campaign that highlighted local
practitioners in ethnic broadcast and print media to improve perception of
CalOptima in the community.

FISCHERHEALTH, Los Angeles, CA

2004-2006
A Porter Novelli Company catering to medical devices and diagnostics, health services,
health information technology and science industries.
Senior Vice President, National Practice Leader/Health Services
Public Relations executive charged with reinvigorating agency’s practice with national and
local clients while acting as spokesperson with industry media.
 Collaborated with UC Irvine Chancellor to shift stakeholder perceptions following
organ donation controversy. Led message, interview and public appearances
strategy and training sessions. Positive image maintained and fostered record
donations for university in 2006.
 Elevated FischerHealth as thought-leader via first-ever healthcare CEO survey
(March, 2005). Secured coverage in PR Tactics, Managed Care Executive and trade
conference.

PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC., Santa Ana, CA

1993-2002
An $11 billion managed care provider of health insurance products for employer groups
and Medicare beneficiaries. Employs over 8,000.
 BENJAMIN A. SINGER
ROSSMOOR, CA 90720
HOME: 562-936-1466 ~ CELL: 562-810-3463 ~ E-MAIL: benjamin.singer2@verizon.net
Vice President, Strategic Communication and Public Relations, 1998-2002
Director, Public Relations, 1993-1998
Directed staff of 10-20 while managing $1.5+ million budget. Successfully positioned this
publicly-traded HMO nationally in concert with its mission and values as well as 22
mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Leveraged its philanthropy to grow company's
reputation and support its brands via donation programs with the American Diabetes
Association, NAMI and NMHA and other non-profits annually.
 Achieved 90% favorable and balanced media coverage during tenure despite HMO
media backlash.
 Maintained positive exposure in national media for nation’s largest Medicare
Advantage plan.

EDUCATION ~ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Adjunct Faculty Member, USC Annenberg School of Communications, Fall 2002
Guest Lecturer – UCLA, Conference Board, PRSA Health Academy, University of Phoenix

AWARDS ~ RECOGNITION
 National Association of Consumer Affairs Administrators (NACAA) - 1st Place for
Excellence in Consumer Education – PacifiCare and Consumer Action, 2001
 Named to PRWeek’s “Top 50 Healthcare Communications Professionals”,
2000
 1st Place MacEachern Award/PRSA – FHP Acquisition, 1998 and Crisis
Management, 1996

COMPUTER SKILLS
MICRO SOFT O FFICE SUITE