As founding chief executive officer of BannerlAetna, Thomas J. Grote brings a collaborative mindset and innovative spirit to the joint venture health insurance company, which is now the fastest growing health plan in Arizona. Grote’s ability to bring people together to work toward a common goal has helped seamlessly bridge the two companies under a highly effective payvider model, ensuring both entities benefit from these efforts and share accountability for quality and health care costs. As one of the earliest joint venture health plans in the country, Banner|Aetna has successfully aligned payer and provider incentives to drive down costs, improve quality and enhance the member experience. Under Grote’s leadership, the Banner|Aetna performance network has achieved savings of approximately 15%. The plan has also implemented innovative solutions for diabetes care and virtual care and initiatives like “frictionless billing”, which streamlines the health care billing and payment process for plan members. Grote possesses more than three decades of experience in the health insurance industry. Immediately prior to his role as Banner|Aetna CEO, he managed Aetna’s operations in Arizona and New Mexico, and oversaw the west territory markets. His career at Aetna also included various sales and profit and loss management roles. His distinguished career includes the achievement of several important industry milestones, including helping Aetna launch their first joint venture in the Northern Virginia market. His outstanding leadership and ambitious vision for change in the industry has been recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal who named him “Most Admired Leader” in 2023. Grote was a finalist in AZ Big Media’s Champion of Change “Healthcare Leader of the Year” award and is also listed as a “Phoenix Titan 100” by Titan CEO, where he's been appointed to serve on the Phoenix Titan 100 Board.

As the local market President, Tom's responsibilities include: development and execution of the local market strategy, management of a geographic P&L covering all local business in the market, oversight of local market network design and contracting, and oversight of local market sales. Tom also has oversight of Aetna's West Territory which includes the following states: AZ, NM, CA, OR, WA, AK, HI, CO, NV, ID and UT. Tom provides strategic support in the evolution of provider collaborations across the West Territory.

As the local market President, Tom's responsibilities include: development and execution of the local market strategy, management of a geographic P&L covering all local business in the market, oversight of local market network design and contracting, and oversight of local market sales. Tom has been actively involved in the development of Accountable Care Organization relationships throughout the Capitol Market. Tom was on the development team and is currently on the board of Innovation Health, the Aetna and Inova joint venture.