BUFFALO, N.Y. — Univera Healthcare is proud to announce the appointment of Paul Valley as its new president. With more than 25 years of experience in the health insurance industry and a deep commitment to community engagement, Valley brings a wealth of leadership and insight to his new role.

Valley most recently served as vice president of commercial sales for Univera Healthcare, where he was responsible for new sales and retention across all commercial group business segments. He began his career in 1998 at BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and has since held a variety of leadership roles in customer and provider service, enrollment and billing, and sales. His experience also includes executive positions with insurers and health insurance brokers in Western New York, as well as with a leading health insurer in Minnesota.

“Paul’s extensive industry knowledge, strategic vision and strong community ties make him the ideal leader to guide Univera Healthcare into the future,” said Jim Reed, president and CEO of the Lifetime Healthcare Companies, the parent company of Univera Healthcare. “We are excited to see how his leadership will continue to strengthen our mission of delivering high-quality, affordable health care to the communities we serve.”

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Valley is an active community member. He has coached youth basketball, baseball and football for more than 15 years and served on the board of directors for the Clarence Bulldogs. He currently serves on the board of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

Valley succeeds Art Wingerter, a visible and respected leader who retired earlier this year after serving as Univera’s president since 2009. Under Wingerter’s leadership, Univera experienced significant growth and became well established as the region’s high-quality, community-focused health plan.

Valley earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Buffalo State College in 1997. He and his wife, Jeanne, reside in East Amherst and are proud parents of three children: Emma, Jack and Owen.