[Home-on-the-range] FYI.for those of you unable to find the Wichita Business Journal link, here is a print out of the interview. Dianne

[Donna Wood]

Dianne, 

 

That was a very nice article on your sister's retirement.  What an excellent
career she has and one to be very proud of.  We as an organization and I as
an individual will continue to keep Linda in our thoughts and prayers during
this time of healing.  

 

Sincerely, 

 

Donna 

  _____  

From: Home-on-the-range [mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Dianne Hemphill
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2013 10:51 AM
To: NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List
Subject: [Home-on-the-range] FYI.for those of you unable to find the Wichita
Business Journal link, here is a print out of the interview. Dianne

 

 

 

Begin forwarded message:





From: Jacquelin Clifton <advocatecare at icloud.com>

Subject: Wichita Business Journal - Exclusive: Delta Dental of Kansas CEO
Linda Brantner to retire

Date: July 12, 2013 9:10:26 AM CDT

To: Dianne Cell Hemphill <diannehemphill at cox.net>

 

Exclusive: Delta Dental of Kansas CEO Linda Brantner to retire

After 25 years at the company, Delta Dental of Kansas President and CEO
Linda Brantner is retiring.

Brantner went to work at Delta Dental in 1988 as operations director. She
had previously worked at Pizza Hut Inc. She twice served as Delta Dental's
interim CEO before taking over permanently in 2006.

Brantner earned an MBA at Wichita State University after getting an
undergraduate degree in art education. She was a member of the Women in
Business class of 2012.

In her time at Delta Dental, the Kansas operation went from $8 million in
annual revenues to $250 million.

I talked to Brantner Tuesday afternoon.

Tell me how you came to the decision to retire. 

I felt like I have built a very strong leadership team. The last several
years I felt very comfortable that if I was to leave there wouldn't be a gap
at all because they're just superstars. We also had a real challenge this
year to get ready for health care reform. We just completed the first round
of making sure that we are going to be able to be a part of the exchanges in
our state regardless of how they turn out. So this was just a good time to
really stop and think, "Should I wait longer, or is this the right time?"
because I've got some health issues that have come up again. To me, it made
sense that, because the company was in such great shape, and because we're
really moving away from a group marketplace to a more business-to-consumer
marketplace, it makes sense to bring in a new CEO to lead us to that next
level.

How are you feeling now?

I'm feeling good. I'm dealing with the issues at hand. We're getting a plan
in place, and I'm optimistic.

When is your last day on the job? How did you come to choose that day? 

Sept. 30. That's the end of the third quarter. And, quite frankly, I wanted
to give a minimum of three months' notice. But more importantly I did not
want to stay through the end of the year because of all the long-range
planning for the next three to five years that takes place at the end of the
year. I believe that it's important that, if I'm going to step back, to give
the team and the new leader the opportunity to build that plan.

Is there a succession plan in place? 

We do succession planning every year, formal succession planning for key
positions, and that's presented to the board each December. Our succession
planning is for stepping in on an interim basis, and for my position they
will do a regular national search. Even with strong internal candidates they
will look outside before they make that decision.

As you reflect on your time at Delta Dental, what do you feel are your
biggest accomplishments? 

I think just helping grow the company, making Delta Dental a household name.
... Nobody knew who Delta was. People know who we are. I think we have the
best product out there. We've been able to truly be committed to the
communities in which we live through our contributions and through our
foundation dollars. I think we've made a real impact on the oral health of
Kansans. Our gift to WSU for the first formal dental education in the state,
the AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) program, to me was just
so important and something that we should be a part of. And we've had lots
of great national recognition for the way we manage the company. So many
things. The people - you just can't stay at a place for 25 years and have
such passion about it as I do to not think there are so many incredible
things I'm proud of.

What's the biggest challenge for the next CEO at Delta? 

Oh, I'm passing some real opportunities and challenges on to the next CEO.
Anyone in health care knows that our world is changing. It's not B to B;
it's going to be B to C, which is very different from the world I've
operated in for 25 years. I'm envious because there are going to be so many
opportunities for that person. And sometimes I think I would kind of like to
be a part of that, but I think this is the right time.

You are a member of several boards of directors. Will you continue to serve
on those boards? 

I'm thinking that through right now. I may take a break because I want to
really see what retirement's like. I may take a break and really concentrate
on addressing my health issues and enjoying a break. But I'm committed to
this community, and I'm going to be on boards. ... I'm going to step back
and see what ones are most important to me. They're all important but you
can only be on so many.

After getting your health back, what do you plan to do in retirement? 

My husband and I like to travel and spend lots of time with family. We have
the best family around, I can tell you. We just spent Fourth of July with
them, and I'm worn out from laughing when they leave.

Anything else you want to add? 

It's been a great run.



Sent from my iPhone

 

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