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Leadership Team

James Springfield | President, Texas Plan and Senior Vice President, Markets

James Springfield leads the overall strategic direction of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to drive long-term growth and financial stability, as well as the enterprise growth strategy for Individual and Family Markets. 

Before joining BCBSTX, James was the Chief Operating Officer at national cancer treatment center where he was responsible for transforming strategic, operating, financial and delivery models to respond effectively to the rapidly changing health care marketplace. He previously held leadership roles at large hospital systems in Texas and a national health care services company.

Dr. Mark Chassay, MD, MEd, MBA | Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Dr. Mark Chassay joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas in 2021 and currently serves as vice president and chief medical officer. He works to strategically align the organization’s voice around policy development, leads Texas Health Care Management and Provider Relations teams, and supports sales and account management, network contracting, and plan performance efforts. 

Previously, Dr. Chassay was Senior Vice Provost for Clinical Affairs and Healthcare Partnerships at a nationally recognized university in North Texas.  

Trip Pilgrim | Divisional Senior Vice President, Enterprise Network Contracting

Trip Pilgrim is responsible for contracting and collaborating with providers in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Montana to improve optimal health outcomes and enhance quality of care for our members. As an accomplished thought leader, he brings invaluable direction and expertise to some of BCBSTX’s most important business functions.   

Trip contributes more than 35 years of experience in numerous senior leadership roles in facility and divisional level operations, mergers and acquisitions, and consulting at prominent hospital systems and health care organizations.  

Jessie Quick | Divisional Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Jessie Quick leads sales and client management for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas group market segments. She is passionate about ensuring BCBSTX continues to deliver customer-centric excellence by anticipating client needs and offering innovative, data-driven solutions. She is also accountable for strategic marketing operations and field services, as well as support and marketing communications.  

Since joining in 2009 as a Senior Sales Executive, Jessie has ascended the organization to serve in several critical leadership roles. Prior to joining BCBSTX, Jessie held various sales positions at industry leading health care and life insurance companies.  

Patty Escoe | Vice President, Texas Plan Operations

Patty Escoe leads the business performance management and operating model for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. She is charged with enhancing business performance and driving operational excellence.  

Patty also leads the Texas Plan’s Community Affairs team, which includes her role as the President of The Caring Foundation of Texas, for which Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the lead sponsor. In addition, she leads the Independent Dispute Resolution, privacy, security and legislative and regulatory implementation teams. 

Pati McCandless | Vice President, Government Relations

Pati McCandless advocates for continued improvement to the health care system in her role as Vice President, Government Relations.  

Before taking on this role, Pati served as Vice President for State Health Policy for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Prior to that, she represented numerous health insurance industry clients as counsel at a national law firm.

Claire York | Vice President, Texas Public Markets

Claire York leads sales and account management for all Government and Public Sector business at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and aims to continue delivering solutions for state and government employees that offer the highest quality of health care and care management for the best value. She is also accountable for supporting State and Local Government accounts through ongoing legislative changes, both federal- and state-based, and ensures solutions are driven by data analytics and member experience.  

Claire previously worked for a global professional services firm, where she oversaw claims and customer service system migration during the time Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and BCBSTX merged with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico.