Regence BlueShield of Idaho has realigned and augmented its Boise-based government affairs team. Effective Feb. 3, Jayson Ronk will join Regence as its first Vice President of Government Affairs. In this role, Ronk will oversee all Idaho intergovernmental relations activities, including those with the executive branch, Legislature and Department of Insurance, while also overseeing business liaison efforts.
“Regence is moving boldly into the future and Jayson is a perfect fit for the team we’re building,” said Regence BlueShield of Idaho President Sean Robbins. “The challenges of health care require dynamic thinking, bipartisan action and a grounding in service to others. He brings all of that to Regence and so much more.”
"I’m excited for the opportunity to join a team that is passionate about improving health care outcomes in Idaho," Ronk said. "I look forward to leveraging my background in policy, government affairs and community relations to support this mission."
Ronk has been actively engaged in the Idaho business and political arena for more than 17 years with a variety of corporate, association and political employers. Most recently, he was state government affairs director with Micron Technology. In addition to successfully advocating for the business interests of Micron, Ronk served as the company’s representative with many industry and community organizations.
Before joining Micron, Ronk managed then-Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s historic re-election campaign for a third consecutive term. Before that, Ronk was vice president of the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI). There, he worked on legislative priorities common to all Idaho employers, such as tax policy, state-based health care reform and various regulatory issues. Ronk also served as executive director of the Idaho Republican Party and worked as government affairs director of the Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho.
Ronk completed his undergraduate studies in political science at Idaho State University. He obtained his Master of Public Administration at Boise State University.
Ronk assumes leadership of Regence’s government affairs function from Gary Smith, who is retiring after the current legislative session. Before his time with Regence and The Travelers Insurance Companies, Smith was director of the Idaho Department of Insurance and a member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners executive committee.
“Gary has been a dedicated servant to the people of Idaho over his career,” Robbins said. “He’ll leave big shoes to fill, and I look forward to working with him to move the state forward in the future.”
Ronk will report directly to Robbins.
About Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Regence BlueShield of Idaho, based in Lewiston, has been serving Idahoans for 74 years with comprehensive health insurance solutions. As a nonprofit mutual insurance company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers in Idaho and nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com, facebook.com/regenceblueshieldofidaho or twitter.com/regenceidaho.