Meet Our Leadership Team.

Chief Executive Officer

Jim Cusumano

As Chief Executive Officer of Brighton Health Plan Solutions, Jim Cusumano is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, financial planning and analysis, business performance reporting, Human Resources and risk management functions. He led ownership/debt reorganizations and oversaw efficiency reviews that led to savings of $3 million yearly. Revenue almost tripled during his time at the company.

Prior to Brighton Health Plan Solutions, Jim served as Chief Financial Officer of a startup, National Healthcare Resources, an episode management company focused on managing care for work-related injuries on behalf of property and casualty insurers. During his tenure, the company developed a specialty preferred provider group, built a telephonic case management strategy to manage episodes, and hit $170 million in annual revenue before being sold to Concentra Managed Care. Jim began his career at Deloitte and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and the New York State Society of CPAs.

Jim has a Bachelors in Accounting from Pace University.

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, and President, Labor

Michelle Zettergren

Michelle and her team work tirelessly to deliver personalized service and custom-fit solutions that put the needs of her clients and members first. Michelle joined the company in 2017 because of her desire to renew her career-long commitment to Labor and Public Sector plan sponsors with a trusted company that appreciates the value of delivering on its promise to its Labor clients.

Michelle brings over 20 years of experience in the health insurance industry, most recently as Chief Sales Officer at HPOne, and Senior Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for ConnectiCare, a subsidiary of EmblemHealth. Michelle led ConnectiCare's efforts in the commercial and Medicare segments, with ownership of sales, account management, product, underwriting, group reporting, marketing, communications, and public relations. Prior to ConnectiCare, Michelle spent nearly 14 years at Anthem BCBS in various leadership roles in sales and underwriting focused on Labor.

Michelle completed Labor Relations training with the University of Connecticut’s Office of Labor Relations. She is a certified Mediator and has consulted in numerous Labor negotiations, and has served as an expert witness for Labor in several arbitration and mediation disputes. Michelle serves on multiple local and national boards including the American Association of Payers, Administrators and Networks (AAPAN) and she proudly serves as co-Chair for Special Olympics Connecticut.

Chief Operating Officer

Brian Murray

Brian has direct oversight and accountability for the company’s provider networks and day-to-day operations, and is responsible for the growth, health, and financial initiatives of daily operations across all lines of business. He ensures that our team delivers solutions that significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve healthcare quality. Brian is charged with successfully executing the company's mission and short- and long-term strategies.

Prior to joining Brighton, Brian served as Chief Operating Officer of Anthem’s Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus Plan in New York, where he oversaw operations for a $2 billion Medicaid plan in New York that represented 460,000+ members. From 2012-2014, he ran statewide operations representing more than $600 million in annual revenue as Chief Operating Officer for Anthem’s Amerigroup Community Health Plan of New Jersey. Brian also served as Senior Market Director at WellCare Health Plan of New York. Additional experience includes The Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York Presbyterian Health System and Creative Health Concepts. Brian graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in Speech.

Chief Information Officer

Arun Bhatia

Arun joined Brighton Health Plan Solutions in April 2014 to head the technology team as Chief Information Officer. He is responsible for the oversight of the technology operations, infrastructure as well as introduction of new solutions and technologies for the future.

Prior to Brighton, Arun served as Chief Information Officer of Healthfirst, a managed Medicare, Medicaid and long term care health plan service over 1.1 million members in NY metro area. During his tenure at HF, the organization grew from $4 billion to over $7 billion and improved its clinical quality and earned top quality rating in NY for Medicaid and a 4 star rating for its Medicare plan. He also served as a Sr. Vice President of Information Systems for MagnaCare. Arun holds an Engineering degree in Electronics Engineering with specialization in Computer Science from Delhi Institute of Technology and has attended management programs at University of Phoenix, AZ.

Deputy General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph Brennan

Joe is responsible for the operations of the company's Law and Compliance Department. He provides strategic advice to company executives on legal, regulatory and compliance matters. He joined Brighton in 2012.

Prior to Brighton, Joe served as an Assistant Commissioner in the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, where he established and supervised a staff of over 100, responsible for the investigation of civil insurance fraud. In private practice, Joe represented both private and municipal entities specializing in government, labor, and employment law.

Joe earned his law degree while serving in a major law enforcement agency, working up through the ranks to various executive positions. Joe is a member in good standing of the New York, New Jersey, and District of Columbia bars. Joe graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law and also holds an MPA in Public Administration and a Masters in Criminal Justice from the City University of New York.

Chief People Officer

Julie Bank

Julie is an influential Human Resources leader with more than 20 years’ experience managing all aspects of HR for growing businesses. Since joining the company, Julie has continually developed and implemented strategic approaches to recruiting, hiring, and retaining career-oriented, talented people. She is regarded as a valued strategic advisor to the executive leadership and operational leadership teams.

In prior roles, Julie served as a Human Resources Consultant, managing all aspects of Human Resources for hundreds of employees in multiple locations.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Nancy Klotz

As Chief Medical Officer at Brighton Health Plan Solutions, Dr. Nancy Klotz is responsible for all medical affairs and related operations, as well as clinical strategies across various business segments. Dr. Klotz provides oversight of our company's clinical programs and strategy while addressing client-specific needs.

Dr. Klotz has an impressive background in managed care. Prior to joining Brighton Health Plan Solutions in October 2021, she served as Chief Clinical Officer and held a dual clinical leadership role in managed care and direct care domains at HealthCare Partners and Heritage NY Medical, PC. During her 11-year tenure, she led efforts in areas of utilization management, high-risk case management and disease management, quality and risk adjustment program development, clinical analytics and data management, provider education, contracting support, peer review, and credentialing. Along with 10 years of private practice experience, Dr. Klotz also developed and managed a successful healthcare information technology company, Clinical Data Technologies. Dr. Klotz has spent more than 23 years in various clinical roles at managed care organizations, including Oxford Health Plans/UnitedHealthcare and Fidelis Care New York.

Dr. Klotz is a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine and her training includes completion of a B.A. in Biology at New York University, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa; a Doctor of Medicine from Albert Einstein College of Medicine; and a residency in Internal Medicine at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Klotz also holds a Master of Business Administration with a healthcare concentration from Quinnipiac University and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Senior Vice President, Analytics

Daniel Vaughan

New to Brighton Health Plan Solutions in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Analytics, Daniel Vaughan is an accomplished insurance professional with 25 years of experience within our industry. Daniel is responsible for the company’s risk structure, managing client Stop Loss programs and custom-designing reports for our clients. His team of actuaries and analysts deliver member and trend analysis, assess risk and generate strategic monthly and annual reports. This information supports the advice we offer clients on plan performance, financial risk and benefits strategy.

Previously, Daniel served as the Vice President of Underwriting, Sales Operations and Implementation at EmblemHealth. There he was responsible for large case underwriting of fully insured and self-insured clients, as well as supporting Sales functions, including revenue forecasting, developing automated reporting and underwriting tools and forming new Stop Loss partnership programs. Daniel also worked as the Director of Sales Strategy and Development at ConnectiCare and held several roles over a 13-year span with Anthem, including Manager of Underwriting, Business Change Manager, Data Analyst, and other roles.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Western New England University.