In April 2011, Aetna Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer Ronald A. Williams retired from Aetna. Ron Williams joined Aetna in 2001, ushering in a new era of prosperity for the nearly 150-year-old company. He had two goals: to lead Aetna to success and help build a better health care system for all Americans. And by any measure – financial performance, membership growth or industry-leading innovation – he achieved success. So it is only fitting that we pay tribute to Ron in our Annual Report aptly titled Embracing Change, Engaging People.

As a catalyst for change, Ron began his Aetna career by laying the foundation for a multiyear turnaround of the company. His “Back-to-Basics” approach focused on customers, quality and profitability. Building on Aetna’s values, he continued to evolve the company’s culture of putting the people who use our services at the center of everything we do.

As President, Ron completed Aetna’s historic turnaround and set his sights on industry leadership. Modeling Aetna’s values, he instilled a renewed sense of pride and commitment throughout the organization. Strategically, he evolved Aetna’s business model to broaden its reach across the health care system.

No longer just about paying claims, Aetna became a leader in health care consumerism by:

• Diversifying customer offerings and revenue streams;
• Expanding Aetna’s international footprint;
• Creating care management and wellness programs;
• Addressing societal health issues such as obesity; and
• Investing in health information technology and innovation

Ron pioneered the concept of large-scale consumer-directed health plans with the launch of the Aetna HealthFund® plan. Aetna was the first national, full-service health insurer to offer these plans. As a champion of health care quality and transparency, he led the development of Aetna’s Aexcel® networks and other offerings designed to provide access to cost-effective, quality health care and Aetna’s transparency tools.

After becoming Chairman and CEO in 2006, Ron continued his quest to achieve quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working with all stakeholders, he emerged as a credible voice in the national dialogue on health care reform, propelling Aetna into a leadership role.

With his hallmark calm, reasoned approach to leadership, Ron successfully steered Aetna through the most difficult economic downturn in generations, at a time when the health care industry itself was experiencing historic changes.

We thank Ron for his leadership and many contributions to Aetna. His unwavering belief that we can be a positive force for change has prepared us well as we enter a new era in health care.