Delta Dental promotes long-time employee to COO role

Former operations VP joined insurer in 1996

authors Staff Reports

Delta Dental of Tennessee has announced the appointment of Melissa Huschke as COO, a role that is new to the company.

Huschke (pictured), a longtime company executive, will oversee client and member services, claims administration, information technology and organizational strategy for the insurer, which works with more than 2,100 employer groups that represent about 1.4 million people.

Huschke has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including 24 years in dental benefits administration. She joined Nashville-based Delta Dental of Tennessee in 1996 as a customer service manager and was promoted to vice president of client relations and workforce analysis in 2003.

In 2007, Huschke moved into the role of VP of operations, where she created and implemented a cross-training initiative.

Prior to joining Delta Dental, Huschke worked for Blue Shield of California as a customer service/group service representative for California Public Employees’ Retirement System and NASCO, which co-creates digital health solutions for BlueCross/BlueShield companies. She has also worked as a claims and benefit analyst with Coastal Healthcare Administrators.

Huschke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Western Governors University.

“This new role for Melissa is a natural progression given her experience and tenure with the company,” Phil Wenk, Delta Dental’s president and CEO, said in the release. “Her knowledge of our business and our industry is unparalleled, and that positions us well for greater success.”