New president plans to double the
organization’s membership

Detroit – Oct. 10, 2006 — Health Alliance Plan (HAP) announced today that Randy Walker, vice president of Health Management Services, has been named president of 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc., an organization for mentoring African American youth.

Walker will establish the chapter’s long term strategic plan and develop additional programs to increase the chapter’s mentoring, tutoring and interaction with young African American males. His goal is to improve their high school graduation rate, social and speaking skills and prepare them to become future leaders in Detroit.

“Randy is passionate about mentoring. He has made a real difference in the lives of many young people,” said Fran Parker, president and CEO of Health Alliance Plan. “He will be instrumental in increasing the number of black role models in our community through his leadership of 100 Black Men.”

Walker is a celebrated community leader, and well-known advocate of mentoring. His vision is to get more African American men to become mentors. “There are not enough men stepping up to be mentors,” says Walker. “Everyone knows that mentors are valuable, but people need to come forward. It’s about the little moments you share with a mentee that make a lifelong difference.”

Walker first joined 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit in 1998 as a mentor. In 1999, he became chairman of the organization’s mentoring committee. Under his leadership, the organization embarked on several programs that match young men with nurturing mentors. Walker has served on 100 Black Men’s board for six years, and he has held the role of vice president since 2004.

In addition to his role with 100 Black Men, Walker is a board member of Black Family Development and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He has received numerous recognitions for his professional achievements and community outreach activities: 2006 Michigan Governor’s Service Award for mentor of the year, Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” and the YMCA Minority Achiever of the Year Award.

Walker earned a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Wayne State University. He lives in Southfield, Mich., with his wife and two sons.

About HAP
Health Alliance Plan (HAP), a nonprofit health plan based in Detroit, has more than four decades of leadership in providing customers with access to quality health care coverage. HAP serves more than 565,000 members and is a subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation’s leading health care systems. The health plan serves companies of all sizes - from large national groups to small groups - through an expansive product portfolio including: HMOs, PPOs, Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans with prescription drug coverage, experience-rated and fully insured products, and HSA-compatible high-deductible health plans with online consumer tools. Leased provider network services are available through HAP’s subsidiary, HAP Preferred. The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded HAP’s commercial HMO Excellent Accreditation and Full Accreditation for Alliance Health and Life Insurance Company PPO products.

About 100 Black Men, Inc.
100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., began with 10 chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, industry, public affairs and government. Today, under the direction of Albert E. Dotson, Jr., the organization has 106 chapters, and growing, in the United States, England, and the Caribbean. There are members from a myriad of professions, including corporate executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, entertainers, elected officials, professional athletes, educators and men from numerous other professions.

The 100, as it is widely known, has created programs which provide an environment where young people are encouraged and motivated to learn and achieve. Each member serves as a strong Black role model for our youth in today's society. Four For the Future and Leadership Development are the strategic areas of focus that supports the mission of the organization. Subject areas encompass Mentoring, Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellness, and the development of leaders around the world.

With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of the 100 serve as a strong force overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of African American youth, particularly young African American males. The organization has made outstanding progress, proving that Blacks can, and do, excel in corporate and community leadership.

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Contact:

Liz Manasse
HAP Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 248-443-1072
Mobile: 586-260-7697
emanasse@hap.org