Departing BCBS Michigan CEO following the lead of his predecessor, Gov. Whitmer's dad
When Dan Loepp takes to the stage this Thursday with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s policy conference on Mackinac Island, where he's scheduled to conduct a fireside chat, it will be with mixed emotions.
Since taking over as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan over 19 years ago, Loepp, who is retiring Jan. 1, 2025, has introduced the state’s governors at the annual northern Michigan confab where 1,500 people will again congregate to talk business, policy and everything in between.
“I’ve been at Mackinac and introduced governors, including Rick Snyder and Gretchen Whitmer,” Loepp told me last week. “It’s been great. But when I retire, you won’t see me at Mackinac anymore.” He’s stepping aside not only as CEO of BCBSM but from many of the organizations he’s been involved with — like the chamber.
Sandy Baruah, who runs the Detroit Regional Chamber, said: “There’s been no greater friend of the chamber’s and the conference than Dan. He’s supported the role of the chamber, which allowed existing institutions (to) help drive change rather than willy nilly create new ones.”
Loepp told me he is borrowing a page from Richard Whitmer, Gretchen Whitmer's dad, in how he is approaching retirement. Richard Whitmer was previous president and CEO of BCBSM before Loepp — and someone who helped prepare Loepp for the top job.
“I was very fortunate to have learned from Dick,” Loepp said, pointing to his predecessor's penchant for bringing people to the table and dealing with issues head-on.
Loepp worked in Lansing and focused on policy, working for a time for former Attorney General Frank Kelley before joining BCBSM. He joined BCBSM 27 years ago and was Richard Whitmer's chief of staff for three years before taking on the CEO job.
When Richard Whitmer retired at age 65, he cut the cord, handed the keys to Loepp and was gone, Loepp said.
Loepp, who turns 67 in July, said it was “time for new leadership” of BCBSM as he announced earlier this year he would retire in 2025. “This industry is changing exponentially and we needed a leader who’s going to lead over the next five to 10 years. I had no interest in doing this until I was 80 years old.”
Leadership, he said, will be faced with changes in technology, increasing costs and more demands and the needs and solutions will require a fresh set of eyes.
Following a six-month search, the BCBSM board announced May 15 that Tricia Keith, 53, will succeed Loepp as she becomes the company’s first female chief executive. She had been executive vice president, chief operating officer and president of emerging markets for BCBSM.
“The board couldn’t have made a better choice,” Loepp said of Keith. “She has the energy, experience, and innovative spirit our company needs as health care continues to change. She is the right leader at the right time for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
“I also think it is important for my successor to make her own imprint,” Loepp said. “Like it or not, you have to get out of the way.”
Keeping it in the family
Loepp, who is married to Amy Tattrie, has four children in their blended family and four grandchildren.
He’s looking forward to spending more time with family and he’s planning to do some traveling. “I’ve traveled a lot for work but am looking forward to visiting Hawaii with my family and spending more time together in Michigan and Florida.”
Born on the east side of Detroit, Loepp will stay involved with two organizations he’s been involved with — the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Parade Company.
Detroit remains a big part of Loepp’s story: He grew up near Denby High School, attended De La Salle High School. The first home he bought was on Harvard, near Chandler Park Drive, on the east side of Detroit.
Hence, I wasn’t surprised when I learned earlier this year that nearby Balduck Park, a mainstay of fun and memories for families like mine who grew up on the city’s east side, was getting an infusion of millions to help refurbish it and the East Warren Cadieux neighborhood — and that Loepp and BCBSM were involved.
Balduck Park, with its hill for sledding, toboggan ramp and ice-skating rink, was once a bevy of activity as families gathered year-round for events but, in recent years, it had fallen in disrepair.
“Balduck Park, in many ways, is home base for Detroit's East Warren/Cadieux neighborhood,” Loepp said. “We’re proud to support the vision of local businesses and residents and I’m very happy to see the park with new walking paths, playground, a dog park and busy with people. I remember the sledding hill very fondly.”
Downtown Detroit Partnership CEO Eric Larson was on hand at the ribbon cutting of Balduck Park on March 25, where Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Loepp and others gathered. Larson told me a neighbor came out to tell him she was so happy to see all the activity — something that had been missing for over 25 years.
“Dan’s commitment to our city and the greater southeast Michigan community is unmatched,” Larson told me. “Equally as important, he is a homegrown leader who has never forgotten his roots or the importance of giving back while serving and uplifting our community.”
Dan and his wife also operate the Loepp Family Foundation, which Loepp told me they will do more with revolving around children’s health, wellness and access to education.
"I’m grateful to have served our members, grown our company and improved health care for everyone," Loepp said. "It was the best job in the world.”
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Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. See Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoesktra, Denise Ilitch, Michigan Chamber's Jim Holcomb and former Rep. Tommy Stallworth on this Sunday’s show. "Michigan Matters" can also be found on those stations’ listings on FUBO, Pluto TV, Youtube.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Departing BCBS Michigan CEO Dan Loepp: It was best job in the world
