Who is Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was shot in Manhattan?

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was was shot dead in front of New York’s Hilton Midtown on Wednesday in Manhattan, where the company held 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 previously served as CEO of the company’s government programs, including Medicare and retiree insurance, as well as local and state programs, Medicaid and other types of coverage for millions of people.

In his most recent role as CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was responsible for leading growth in the company’s global, employer, retail, specialty and government benefit businesses, according to a 2021 company statement announcing his appointment responsible.

“Brian’s experience, relationships and values ​​make him uniquely suited to help UnitedHealthcare improve healthcare for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners, resulting in continued and sustainable long-term growth,” said Andrew Witty, CEO of the UnitedHealth Group said at the time.

During his 20 years with the company, Thompson held other positions, including chief financial officer for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer & Individual, Municipal & Federal, and Medicare & Retirement businesses. He also served as financial controller for UnitedHealthcare’s employer and individual businesses and was a director in the company’s corporate development department.

Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Thompson worked as an auditor at accounting firm PwC, according to his bio on the networking site LinkedIn. Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a degree in business administration and most recently lived in Minnesota.

After the shooting, UnitedHealthcare canceled its Wednesday 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 valued colleague and friend to everyone who worked with him. We are working closely with the NYPD and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our condolences go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.”

Minnesota leaders say they are shocked

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also commented on Thompson’s death. “This is a shocking and devastating loss for our entire community. ‘Shocking’ is the only word that comes to mind right now,” he said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.

In a post on social media, he added that Thompson was “a great man.”

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar expressed her condolences to Thompson’s family and United Healthcare employees in the state and called the shooting “a terrible and shocking act of violence” in a post on X.

In his own post, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for Minnesota’s economy and health care system.”