Colorado health exchange names Kevin Patterson new interim CEO

DENVER — The board of directors for Colorado’s health insurance exchange on Monday named Kevin Patterson the new interim chief executive one week after its sole finalist for the permanent position withdrew from consideration.

Patterson will take the helm at Connect for Health Colorado on May 8, replacing interim CEO Gary Drews, who last month informed the board that he would be leaving in May. Drews has led Connect for Health since August following CEO Patty Fontneau’s departure for an executive post with insurance company Cigna.

Patterson served as an ex-officio member of the Connect for Health board from May 2013 to December 2014. He is currently chief administrative officer for Gov. John Hickenlooper, and has previously served as interim executive director of three state agencies. He will resign his position with the governor to take the Connect for Health role.

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“We know Kevin well and he knows Connect for Health Colorado well from his service on the board,” board chair Sharon O’Hara said in a release. “Kevin brings broad public policy background to this role and is well-positioned to step in and build on the progress Gary has made while the board continues to seek a permanent CEO.”

In addition to his state roles, Patterson has served in a variety of positions for the city and county of Denver. As Hickenlooper’s chief administrative officer, he’s served as a member of the State Board of Equalization, the Capitol Building Advisory Committee, and the State Internet Portal Authority. He also supervises the public trustees appointed by the governor.