Col. Robert E. Shields Joins Palmetto GBA's Board of Directors

COLUMBIA, SC – May 20, 2008 – Palmetto GBA, a leading provider of technical and administrative services for the federal government, announced today that Robert E. Shields, a retired Air Force colonel and former executive with health insurer Humana Inc., has been appointed to serve on its board of directors.

Shields, a resident of Isle of Palms, S.C., retired in 2005 as senior vice president for Louisville, Ky.-based Humana, where he had served as an executive for 11 years. After retiring from the Air Force, Shields served from 1994 to 2000 as CEO of Humana Military Healthcare Services Inc., one of three companies that operate the Department of Defense’s TRICARE health care program.

During his distinguished military career, Shields served as Chief of the Air Force Office of the Surgeon General Managed Care Division. Shields is a 1970 graduate of The Citadel, and he holds master’s degrees from the University of California and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Palmetto GBA is indeed fortunate to have someone with the diverse and relevant background, history of accomplishment, and superb leadership skills that Colonel Shields possesses, said Bruce Hughes, president of Palmetto GBA.

Based in Columbia, S.C., Palmetto GBA is a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Palmetto GBA’s principal business is providing administrative services for the Medicare health benefit program.
The company has offices in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois.

Palmetto GBA and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.