Daniel J. Hilferty Explained

Daniel J. Hilferty (born 1956) is an American business executive currently serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Comcast Spectacor and Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers.^[1] He previously held the role of chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross from 2010 to 2020.^[2]

Career

Hilferty grew up in Ocean City, New Jersey and graduated in 1974 from St. Augustine Preparatory School. Hilferty earned a Master of Public Administration degree from American University.^{[2] [3]} Hilferty had received an offer of a $22,000-a-year position at Electronic Data Systems after completing his graduate degree in 1981, but turned it down in favor of a spot at Misericordia Hospital.^[4]

Hilferty worked with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in a volunteer program improving city playgrounds in Portland, Oregon and came to the realization that he "was a pretty good leader" based on his ability to accomplish his goals by managing his resources and connecting with government officials.^{[5] [6]}

From 1987 to 1990, Hilferty was the assistant vice president overseeing community and media relations for Saint Joseph's University. From 1990 to 1992, Hilferty was the executive director of PennPorts in the administration of Governor of Pennsylvania Robert P. Casey, where he oversaw development aspects of the commonwealth's ports in Erie, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.^[3] In 1994, Hilferty ran unsuccessfully as one of 8 candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.^[7]

In a 2013 interview, Hilferty said that he would have delayed implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by a year to allow better coordination between stakeholders that would allow for a better result. He also advocated for broader expansion of Medicaid in all states and suggested that appropriate penalties were needed to ensure that all individuals had health insurance that would be available to them at a wide range of price points and coverage.^[4]

In February 2023, Hilferty was named as CEO of Comcast Spectacor.^[8] On July 1, 2023, Hilferty succeeded Dave Scott as the Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers.^[9]

Prior to joining Comcast Spectacor, Hilferty led Philadelphia's successful bid to be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026.^[10]

Prior to 2010, he was president and chief executive officer of AmeriHealth Caritas,^[11] formerly known as the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos.^[12]

Personal

He lives with his wife in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and maintains a summer home on the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, where he grew up.^[13] Hilferty has five children.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Daniel Hilferty to become chairman of Comcast Spectacor and governor of the Philadelphia Flyers, as Dave Scott announces retirement . 2023-08-22 . Al Día News . en.
2. http://www.ibx.com/company_info/our_company/officers/hilferty.html "Daniel J. Hilferty: CEO"
3. http://www.sju.edu/int/academics/centers/arrupe/pdf/Daniel%20J%20Hilferty%20IBC%20updated%20bio%20011510.pdf Daniel J. Hilferty
4. George, John. "A Q&A With Daniel J. Hilferty; Hilferty turned down Ross Perot and more", Philadelphia Business Journal, May 24, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015.
5. Von Bergen, Jane M. "Independence Blue Cross' Hilferty realizes: He's a pretty good leader", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 2013. Accessed December 1, 2014.
6. Von Bergen, Jane M. "From basketball to healthcare: Net gain for Independence Blue Cross' Hilferty", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 12, 2013. Accessed December 2, 2014. "'After college, I joined a group similar to the Peace Corps called the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and ran a community center in Portland, Oregon. We needed funding and I went to City Hall to get funding. I realized that a) I really enjoyed community service, and b) being involved in the political process,' he said."
7. Connolly, Sean. "8 Democrats Seek Lieutenant Governor Nomination", The Morning Call, March 12, 1994. Accessed December 1, 2014. "Dan Hilferty, 37, is a corporate vice president at Mercy Hospital Corp. in Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County. Between 1990 and 1992, Hilferty served with the Casey administration as the executive director of PennPorts, which promotes Pennsylvania's port operations and trade activity."
8. Sharrow, Ryan. "Comcast Spectacor names Dan Hilferty as CEO", Philadelphia Business Journal, February 14, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2023. "Former Independence Health Group head Daniel J. Hilferty has been named CEO of Comcast Spectacor, the parent company of the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center."
9. Hall, Jordan. "Scott retiring as Spectacor chairman and Flyers governor", NBC Sports, March 27, 2023. Accessed March 27, 2023. "Comcast Spectacor announced Monday morning that Dave Scott will be retiring as chairman of the company and governor of the Flyers.... Dan Hilferty, who was named CEO of Comcast Spectacor last month, will succeed Scott as chairman on April 17 and as governor of the Flyers on July 1."
10. News: Tannenwald . Jonathan . Philadelphia will host 2026 men’s World Cup games, bringing a global sports spectacle to America’s birthplace . 15 August 2023 . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 16 June 2022.
11. News: McCarthy . Erin . Dan Hilferty, who ran IBX and helped Philly land the World Cup, is new boss at Comcast Spectacor . 15 August 2023 . 14 February 2023 . The Philadelphia Inquirer.
12. News: Brubaker . Harold . AmeriHealth Mercy changes name to AmeriHealth Caritas . 15 August 2023 . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 15 April 2013.
13. Staff reports. "St. Augustine Prep honors Dan Hilferty with Mendel Medal", Ocean City Gazette, November 24, 2014. Accessed December 1, 2014. "Ocean City native, and 1974 graduate of St. Augustine Prep, Daniel J. Hilferty received the 2014 Gregor Mendel Medal at dinner held in his honor at the Union League of Philadelphia on Nov. 13."