The Glendale Star
20
September 2, 2021
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Michael Jones named Delta Dental of Arizona CEO BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF Delta Dental of Arizona has appointed Michael Jones as president and chief executive officer, effective October 2021. He will also serve as the president of the charitable Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, which provides funding, education and dental supplies to those in need across the state. As president and CEO, Jones will work closely with the board of directors and Delta Dental’s executive leadership team to create and leverage partnerships that strengthen the organization’s ability to meet current and evolving market demands while remaining true to its mission of improving lives by promoting optimal oral health. “Michael is a senior executive with more than 25 years of developing effective strategies; leveraging technology; and building engaged, high-performance teams,” said Dr. Richard Higgs, chair of the board of directors for Delta Dental of Arizona. “We are confident that his collaborative approach, coupled with his track record of working proactively to drive operational excellence and increase market share, will continue to help us innovate and position Delta Dental for further success.” Prior to joining Delta Dental, Jones served as managing director and Mid-
(Left) As president and CEO, Michael Jones will work closely with the board of directors and Delta Dental’s executive leadership team to create and leverage partnerships that strengthen the organization’s ability to meet current and evolving market demands. (Right) Allan Allford, who has served as president and CEO of Delta Dental since 2010, revealed in February his plans for retirement by year’s end. (Photos courtesy of Delta Dental)
west region health care provider lead for Accenture, a global professional services company providing strategy, consulting, digital and technology solutions. Since 2016, Jones specialized in identifying strategic solutions for various health care organizations and led business development activities to grow the consultancy while managing executive-level client rela-
tionships. Jones also founded professional consulting firm M. Jones & Associates LLC in 2005, which he ran as managing partner until 2016, focusing on delivering strategic business and technology solutions to organizations across the country. He brings a wealth of experience from his various C-suite roles at companies like BeTheMatch
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and CIGNA Behavioral Health. Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s in business administration degree from the University of Texas, where he was a Consortium Fellowship Recipient. “I am exhilarated to be joining Delta Dental of Arizona given its competitive market position and outstanding reputation for delivering quality customer service,” Jones said. “I look forward to building on this reputation as I collaborate with the board, our management team and employees, and our provider partners to improve the oral health of even more Arizonans.” Jones replaces Allan Allford, who has served as president and CEO of Delta Dental since 2010 and announced in February his plans for retirement by year’s end. “The impact Allan has had on driving positive outcomes and improving the oral health of Arizona residents is immeasurable,” Higgs said. “He is a straight shooter, brings a lot of humility, and has a collaborative leadership style that really propelled the organization forward over the last 11 years. We are grateful for his leadership and anticipate further success for Delta Dental as Allan passes the torch to his successor, Michael.”
