Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> June 3, 2002

James Buncher – Safeguard Health Enterprises Inc (sfgd)

JAMES E. BUNCHER has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of SafeGuard Health enterprises, Inc. since March 1, 2000. Prior to that he had been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Community Dental Services, Inc., a company operating dental practices in California. Before that he was President of the Health Plans Group of Value Health, Inc., a national specialty managed care company, and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Care Network, Inc. a group health and workers' compensation managed care company. Mr. Buncher was the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of CIGNA HealthPlans. He has also been President and Chief Executive Officer of two hospital management companies. Mr. Buncher serves on the boards of directors of five healthcare companies, of which two are public companies. Overall, he has been in healthcare management for 29 years and has broad experience. Mr. Buncher holds Undergraduate and Master's degrees in Accounting from the University of Illinois, where he graduated with honors and is a CPA. Profile
TWST: Can we start with a quick overview of SafeGuard?

Mr. Buncher: SafeGuard is a dental and vision benefits company that has

been in existence for over 25 years. We sell dental HMO, dental