Police are intensifying their search for a masked gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy New York City street Wednesday morning.
Thompson, 50, was a prominent figure in the health care sector, leading one of the country’s largest insurance companies. He is married with two teenage sons, lives in a suburb of Minneapolis and was in New York City to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Midtown.
The attack occurred just steps from the hotel entrance. Police said Thompson was alone and preparing to enter the building when the gunman shot him in the back. The suspect then fled on foot and fled on an e-bike into Central Park.
As police continue to search for the shooter, here’s what we know about Thompson’s life and career at UnitedHealthcare.
Thompson went to high school at South Hamilton High School in Jewell Junction, Iowa.
On Wednesday, South Hamilton Community School District He issued a statement on Facebook About shooting.
“The South Hamilton Community School District is deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Brian Thompson, a beloved member of our school community and valedictorian of the class of 1993,” the statement read.
She added that Thompson was “a star student, athlete, homecoming king and a respected leader.” His accomplishments and character have left a meaningful legacy within our schools and community.
After high school, Thompson began his professional journey as a Certified Public Accountant, graduating from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
In 2004, Thompson took a position with UnitedHealthcare, based in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, his LinkedIn profile shows. He began as a director of UnitedHealth’s corporate development team, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
What is UnitedHealthcare?
UnitedHealthcare is a multinational insurance and health services company The largest insurance company in the United States.
According to the company’s website, it works with more than 1.3 million doctors and care professionals and more than 6,700 hospitals and care facilities in the United States.
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According to the company’s LinkedIn website, UnitedHealthcare employs 140,000 people across the United States and the world, and is ranked sixth on the Fortune 500 list.
In 2010, Thompson became CFO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State, and subsequently moved between different departments within the company, continuing in CFO positions for several years.
Thompson has been named CEO of the company’s Medicare and Retirement business. Then in 2021, he became the CEO of the company.
Brian Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
UnitedHealthcare
As CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was responsible for driving growth across the company’s global businesses, employers, individuals, professionals and government, according to the 2021 company. statement Announcing his appointment.
In 2023, Thompson will receive total compensation of $10.2 million, according to A.J Reveal By UnitedHealth Group. His annual salary, bonuses and stock options awards included.
UnitedHealthcare generated $281 billion in revenue last year.
In a statement on WednesdayThe company said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the death of our dear friend and colleague. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to everyone who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
“Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and all those who were close to him.”
Thompson was married with two sons and lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, about a 20-minute drive from the company’s headquarters.
His wife, Paulette Thompson, He told NBC News on Wednesday that her husband was receiving threats.
“There were some threats,” she added. “I don’t know the details. All I know is that he said there were some people who were threatening him.”
She was quoted by NBC News as saying that police told her the shooting was a “planned attack.”
In a statement to Fox News ChannelShe also said: “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous and talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched the lives of so many. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and he will be greatly missed.”
—With files from The Associated Press
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
