Castner joins Horizon BCBSNJ as senior vice president

Prominent Gibbons P.C. attorney William Castner, chair of the firm’s government affairs department, has joined Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s senior leadership team, the insurer and law firm announced Wednesday.Castner will now serve as Horizon’s senior vice president, corporate and regulatory affairs, reporting to Robert A. Marino, chairman and CEO. In this new role, he will be responsible for government affairs, public affairs and enterprise communications, according to the news release.

“We are pleased that Bill Castner, one of New Jersey’s most respected attorneys, will join our efforts to improve health care quality while reducing costs for New Jersey consumers,” Marino said in a prepared statement.

Castner’s new position is a result of consolidation within the company, putting the various departments under one person, Horizon spokesman Thomas Rubino told NJBIZ.

“This has nothing to do with OMNIA,” he said, referring to Horizon’s new tiered health insurance plan. “This was in the works before that.”

Castner is a former chief counsel under then-Gov. Jon S. Corzine and has represented major businesses, health care systems and universities during his time with Gibbons.

“Bill Castner is a unique talent with Cooperstown-like capabilities,” Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Gibbons’ chairman and managing director, said in a statement. “We are pleased to provide the launching pad to the next stage of his career, where he will continue to work with our client, Horizon BCBSNJ, to help it achieve its goals.”

The attorney ranked No. 49 on the NJBIZ Power 50 Health Care in 2015.

“There’s a strong team (at Gibbons), but Castner has been the one that’s been the head of the health care practice there,” a source told NJBIZ for the Power 50 Health Care. “Very impressive guy.”

He starts in his new position on Monday, Horizon said.

Gibbons partners Kevin G. Walsh and David J. Pascrell with now co-chair the firm’s government affairs department, while Christine A. Stearns will be administrative partner of the firm’s Trenton office.