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Brian Thompson (businessman)

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Brian Thompson
Born
Brian Robert Thompson

(1974-07-10)July 10, 1974
Ames, Iowa, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 2024(2024-12-04) (aged 50)
New York City, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wounds
EducationUniversity of Iowa (BBA)
TitleCEO of UnitedHealthcare
Term2021–2024
SpousePaulette Reveiz (separated 2018)
Children2

Brian Robert Thompson[1][2] (July 10, 1974 – December 4, 2024) was an American businessman who was the chief executive officer (CEO) of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, from April 2021 until his killing in December 2024.

In 1997, Thompson started his career as a CPA before becoming a manager at PwC, a professional services network.[3] He held this position until 2004, when he then moved to UnitedHealth Group, becoming the CEO of their UnitedHealthcare unit in 2021. His tenure as CEO was marked by high rates of denials for medical care. In 2021, the American Hospital Association criticized Thompson for planning to deny insurance payment for non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms.[4]

Following his killing in 2024, public officials expressed dismay and offered condolences to Thompson's family.[5][6] In contrast, several media sources reported that social media users shared their contempt for Thompson, UnitedHealthcare, and the American health insurance system, with some celebrating his killing and idolizing the shooter.[7]

Early life and education

Thompson was born on July 10, 1974, in Ames, Iowa, one of two sons born to Dennis and Pat (née Hunter) Thompson.[8][9][10] His father was a grain elevator worker.[8] Brian was raised in the nearby area, and he graduated in 1993 as the class valedictorian of South Hamilton High School in Jewell Junction, north of Ames.[9][11][12][13] During this time, he was also class president, s two-time all-state trombonist, senior year homecoming king and an athlete.[3][14][15] He attended the University of Iowa (UI) in Iowa City, where he met his future wife. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting in 1997.[12][16][17][18][19] He was also valedictorian of his UI graduating class, and UI later said that he "graduated with special honors and with highest distinction, meaning his GPA was 3.95 or above."[20]

Career

From 1997 to 2004, Thompson worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a CPA and later manager in the transaction advisory services group of the audit practice.[3] He joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and worked on U.S. government health insurance programs such as Medicare and retiree coverage, as well as community and state divisions which provided Medicaid and other health insurance coverage. In April 2021 he was named the CEO of UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and tasked with leading the company's global growth.[21] His total compensation was $9.6 million in 2021, $9.8 million in 2022, and $10.2 million in 2023.[22] Under his leadership, UHC's profits increased from $12 billion in 2021 to $16 billion in 2023.[23] At the time of Thompson's death, the company was the largest health insurer in the United States.[24]

In 2021, an open letter from the American Hospital Association criticized Thompson regarding a plan from UHC to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. UHC responded by delaying rollout of the change.[25] Reports of increasing rates of prior authorization denials prompted investigations by ProPublica and the United States Senate, investigations which were described as a "stain" on Thompson's time of leadership by Fortune.[23]

The Associated Press reported that Thompson generally kept "a low public profile" but he received attention for an announcement at an investor meeting in 2023 that UHC was shifting to a value-based health care model of payment to health-care providers, as opposed to a fee-for-service model.[25]

In May 2024, the Hollywood, Florida, Firefighters' Pension Fund sued Thompson and two UnitedHealth Group executives (CEO Andrew Witty and executive chairman Stephen J. Hemsley), alleging fraud and insider trading. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants failed to disclose an antitrust investigation into the company by the United States Department of Justice and by selling stock options before the probe was made public. The suit states that Thompson and Hemsley sold a combined total of $120 million worth of UHC stock, four months before the DOJ probe was made public to UHC shareholders and to the general public.[11][26][27][28][29]

Personal life

Thompson was known to friends and colleagues as "B.T."[8] He was married to a physical therapist and fellow University of Iowa graduate.[30] They had two sons.[31][32] At the time of his death, Thompson and his family were residents of Maple Grove, Minnesota.[33] Thompson and his wife separated in 2018 and had since been living in separate residences in Maple Grove.[34][35] Their separation was not made public until his death in December 2024.[34]

Thompson visited Ireland on several occasions as UnitedHealthcare's sister company Optum has operations in the country, and enjoyed playing golf there in Donegal.[36] He was an active supporter of the Special Olympics movement and was honorary co-chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.[37]

Death

Main article: Killing of Brian Thompson

On December 4, 2024, Thompson was in New York for an annual UnitedHealthcare investors meeting.[38] He left a Marriott hotel where he was staying, which was across the street from the New York Hilton Midtown, where his meeting was to be held. As he was walking along West 54th Street toward the Hilton at around 6:45 a.m. local time, he was shot from behind by a person dressed in a hooded jacket and wielding a pistol.[39] Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai West hospital in Manhattan, where, at 7:12 a.m., he was pronounced dead.[40][41]

A suspect was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 and indicted with first- and second-degree murder charges by a grand jury in New York.[42][43]

Legacy

Following his killing, public officials, which included Minnesota governor and former Democratic vice president nominee Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey expressed dismay and offered condolences to Thompson's family.[5][6] In contrast, numerous media sources reported that social media users shared their contempt for Thompson, UnitedHealthcare, and the American health insurance system, with some celebrating his killing.[44][45][46][47]

Social media users shared personal stories of harm and death suffered as a result of claim denials.[48][49] One physician told The Daily Beast that while they believed Thompson's killer should be brought to justice, his role as CEO had led to a great amount of suffering and loss of life, which he described as "on the order of millions", adding that "[it is] hard for me to sympathize when so many people have suffered because of his company".[50][51]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Q2 2024 Unitedhealth Group Inc Earnings Call". Thomson Reuters StreetEvents. July 17, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024 – via Yahoo Finance.
  2. ^ Tozzi, John; Miller, Myles (December 4, 2024). "UnitedHealth Executive Fatally Shot in NYC, Sparking Manhunt". Bloomberg News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Remembering the life of Brian Thompson". obituaries.startribune.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York". AP News. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Cerullo, Megan (December 10, 2024). "Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in Manhattan?". CBS News. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Helsel, Phil (December 4, 2024). "Minnesota Gov. Walz, Sen. Klobuchar call killing of CEO tragic and horrifying". NBC News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Gilbert, David (December 10, 2024). "Luigi Mangione Is Everywhere". Wired. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Wilde Mathews, Anne; Bauerlein, Valerie (December 4, 2024). "Slain Health-Insurance Executive Brought Small Town Geniality to Big Job". The Wall Street Journal.
  9. ^ a b Gabriel, Trip (December 4, 2024). "Brian Thompson, Health Insurance Executive, Dies at 50". The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  10. ^ "Births". Ames Tribune. July 11, 1974. p. 10. Retrieved December 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. To Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Thompson, Stanhope, a boy born at 1:01 p.m. on July 10 at Mary Greeley Hospital.
  11. ^ a b Towfighi, John; Goldman, David (December 4, 2024). "Who was Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare fatally shot in Manhattan?". CNN. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "University of Iowa alum and UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Manhattan". cbs2iowa.com. KGAN. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  13. ^ James, Kayla (December 5, 2024). "'He was the smartest, great friend': Childhood friend of Brian Thompson recalls their friendship". KCCI.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024. Thompson grew up with his family southeast of Stanhope.
  14. ^ James, Kayla (December 5, 2024). "'He was liked by all': South Hamilton Middle and High School principal remembers UnitedHealthcare CEO". KCCI.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  15. ^ Writer, Katherine Fung Senior (December 11, 2024). "As Brian Thompson is laid to rest, friends and family speak out". Newsweek. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Lukpat, Alyssa; Mathews, Anna Wilde (December 4, 2024). "UnitedHealth Executive Shot Dead Outside Manhattan Hotel". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Baresky, John G. (April 7, 2021). "Executive Profile: Brian Thompson, New Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare". Bare Sky Marketing. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Jane, Emma (December 4, 2024). "UI 1997 valedictorian and UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in targeted shooting". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthCare CEO, Iowa native murdered in New York City?". Des Moines Register. December 5, 2024. Archived from the original on December 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Slain CEO Brian Thompson, an Iowa high school and college grad, recalled as loving, talented". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in Manhattan? - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (December 5, 2024). "After fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, here's what we know". CBS News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Rogelberg, Sasha (December 5, 2024). "Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's tenure was marked by rocketing profits—and myriad accusations of insider trading and coverage denial". Fortune. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  24. ^ Florko, Nicholas (December 5, 2024). "Murder Is an Awful Answer for Health-Care Anger". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Geller, Adam; Murphy, Tom (December 4, 2024). "UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  26. ^ Tozzi, John; Melin, Anders (April 16, 2024). "UnitedHealth chair, execs sold $102M in stock before DOJ probe became public". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Graig Graziosi (December 5, 2024). "UnitedHealthcare CEO gunned down in Manhattan sold company stocks just before DOJ probe made public". The Independent. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Hollywood Firefighter Pension Lawsuit Alleges Insider Trading by United Health Execs, Including Slain CEO". Chief Investment Officer Magazine. December 6, 2024.
  29. ^ "Databank – Insider Trading". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. February 26, 2024. p. D2. Retrieved December 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (December 4, 2024). "UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in 'brazen, targeted attack' in NYC; manhunt underway". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Thiede, Dana (December 4, 2024). "Who was Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in New York City". KARE. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Walrath-Holdridge, Mary; Cann, Christopher (December 4, 2024). "Who was Brian Thompson? CEO of UnitedHealthcare fatally shot in Manhattan". USA Today. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  33. ^ Sager, Monica (December 4, 2024). "Minnesota leaders react to UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting death". Newsweek. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Archacki, Liam (December 5, 2024). "Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Was Secretly Separated From Wife". Daily Beast. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  35. ^ Chaffin, Joshua; Matthews, Anna Wilde (December 5, 2024). "Murder at Dawn: A Top Executive's Final Moments in Manhattan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2024. Thompson and Paulette had been living in separate homes less than a mile apart in suburban Maple Grove for several years, according to property records, voter registration data and neighbors.
  36. ^ McNulty, Chris (December 4, 2024). "Optum staff in Letterkenny briefed after CEO of sister company shot dead in New York". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  37. ^ Halter, Nick (December 5, 2024). "Twin Cities shocked by killing of UHG's Brian Thompson". Axios. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  38. ^ Katersky, ByAaron; Shapiro, Emily; Cohen, Miles (December 4, 2024). "UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, masked gunman at large". ABC News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  39. ^ "What we know about NYC killing of healthcare executive". BBC News. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  40. ^ "UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed: Who are the victim and suspect?". Al Jazeera. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  41. ^ Diamond, Dan (December 6, 2024). "The UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed. Why did some people celebrate?". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  42. ^ Shanahan, Ed (December 9, 2024). "Suspect Is Charged in C.E.O.'s Murder After Arrest in Pennsylvania". The New York Times. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  43. ^ Mangan, Dan (December 17, 2024). "Luigi Mangione indicted on murder charges for shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson". CNBC. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  44. ^ Novak, Matt (December 4, 2024). "Bitter Americans React to UnitedHealthcare CEO's Murder: 'My Empathy Is Out of Network'". Gizmodo. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  45. ^ Klee, Miles (December 4, 2024). "Social Media Has Little Sympathy for Murdered Health Insurance Exec". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  46. ^ Oliver, David. "The UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed and many had little sympathy. Why?". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  47. ^ Hall, Richard (December 6, 2024). "Reactions to the killing of insurance CEO reveal a deep anger over US healthcare". The Independent. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  48. ^ Dilanian, Ken (December 5, 2024). "Insurance executive's murder sparks online praise and hate". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  49. ^ Searcey, Dionne; Malone Kircher, Madison (December 5, 2024). "Torrent of Hate for Health Insurance Industry Follows C.E.O.'s Killing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  50. ^ Craig, Sean (December 5, 2024). "Moderators Delete Reddit Thread as Doctors Torch Dead UnitedHealthcare CEO". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  51. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (December 5, 2024). "Fake bomb threat targets homes of insurance executive killed in NYC: Police". The Hill. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
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