Brian Pieninck Chosen for Leadership Maryland Class of 2016

CareFirst EVP and Owings Mills resident one of 52 selected for professional development program

Annapolis, MD (February 22, 2016) - Leadership Maryland announced today that Brian Pieninck, executive vice president at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), has been chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a stronger Maryland by educating, cultivating and connecting our state’s brightest leaders.

Pieninck is one of 52 Maryland business and community leaders chosen for Leadership Maryland’s 24th class – the Class of 2016, who will complete the eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. In his current role with CareFirst, Pieninck is responsible for the operation, service and sales of CareFirst’s large group accounts.

Following a two-day opening retreat in April, the class will attend five two-day intense sessions traversing the state focusing on Maryland’s economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multiculturalism/diversity. These sessions will be followed by a one-day closing retreat in November and a graduation celebration in December. More than 100 experts representing business, government, education, and the non-profit community will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

“The selection process for the Class of 2016 was very competitive this year, as we had an extraordinary pool of diverse and experienced applicants to choose from,” said Renée M. Winsky ‘05, president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “The 52 selected participants represent a diverse and broad spectrum of highly-qualified executives from across the state, and we are confident that their Leadership Maryland experience will help them to play an even greater role in our unified effort to shape the future of our state.”

Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit their website or call them at 410-841-2101.

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a stronger Maryland by educating, cultivating and connecting our state’s brightest leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The first Leadership Maryland class graduated in 1993, and the organization’s alumni network now consists of more than 1,000 leaders from all industries and regions of the state. To learn more, please call Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit their website.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 78th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2015, CareFirst contributed nearly $40 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram or Google+.