Meet Matthew Vannatta

Change is coming to Consumer and Retail Markets at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The division’s longtime fearless leader, Susan Barnes, is retiring at the end of the month after more than two decades of service (if you know Susan, wish her well!).

Susan’s been responsible for countless contributions and improvements to the individual and retail business at Arkansas Blue Cross, and she’ll be missed by everyone in the division. However, she’s left her legacy in capable hands — Matthew Vannatta picks up where Susan left off as the new director of Consumer and Retail Markets.

Matthew’s spent years working alongside Susan and Ron DeBerry, the division’s senior vice president, and is ready to uphold the division’s vision and values while finding new ways to evolve and innovate as the markets shift and change.

Matthew joined Arkansas Blue Cross in August 2010 as an analyst for individual products. He quickly moved into a coordinator position with special projects, then later became manager of continuous quality improvement. Prior to Arkansas Blue Cross, he held positions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Matthew earned his undergraduate degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He’s a graduate of the Arkansas Blue Cross Leadership Development Institute.