Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) announced today that Kevin Reed, director of Sales Administration, has been honored with the 2016 Multicultural Leadership Award by the Tri-State Diversity Council, a member organization of the National Diversity Council. The National Diversity Council’s mission is to uphold and promote the principles of diversity and leadership and to recognize those who personify those principles. Kevin Reed, of Newark, a charter member of Horizon BCBSNJ’s own Diversity Council, was presented the award during the Tri-State Diversity Council’s annual awards luncheon last week at The New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan.The Multicultural Leadership Award honors individuals who:

• Demonstrate leadership excellence in the public and/or private sectors.
• Sustain a record of accomplishments and/or contributions to their field of work throughout scope of their career.
• Demonstrate leadership in the community.
• Retain commendable reputations with colleagues and superiors.
• Exhibit and demonstrate a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence.

“Kevin is that rare person whose commitment to job excellence is rivaled only by his passion to give back through volunteer work with community-based organizations and his drive to turn ideas into action,” said Alison Banks Moore, Chief Diversity Officer, Horizon BCBSNJ. “Through his outreach efforts in New Jersey’s communities and his willingness to mentor and always inspire his fellow employees, there is no person more deserving of this award than Kevin Reed. Horizon is proud that the Tri-State Diversity Council has honored Kevin with the 2016 Multicultural Leadership Award.”About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.About Horizon BCBSNJ’s Diversity programsHorizon BCBSNJ has instituted many programs aimed at promoting diversity within the company including: paid minority internships and manager development programs, as well as a Diversity Council and minority leadership programs. To learn more about Horizon BCBSNJ and its diversity efforts, visit: www.HorizonBlue.com/diversity