■ Cover Story : Uli Diaz
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Diaz does not see himself as a role model for the Latino community . But he believes it is important to celebrate the success of Latinos . “ If nothing else , it shows the young men and women , who have to deal with the issues of immigrant and ethnicity in this country , that there is light at the end of the tunnel . That they can succeed and they can progress and be leaders , if they so choose .”
After 13 years at United , Diaz left and took on a new role as director of government affairs at Verizon in New Jersey in 2005 . A few years later former Gov . Jon Corzine appointed him to the board of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority . It was a coup for a lobbyist because as Diaz said the authority sits at the intersection of politics and governance . It is responsible for the efficient running of the turnpike and parkway — critical components for the state ’ s economic health . Since joining the board in 2008 , Diaz has risen to vice chairman .
During his tenure at Verizon the telecommunications industry went through extensive deregulation . He said his greatest achievement was protecting an emerging technology — Voice over Internet Protocol ( VoIP )— from overzealous regulation . All three major players , Verizon , Comcast and Cablevision , united behind legislation that advanced VoIP . Diaz explained it enabled Verizon to grow its wireless division from 50 to 90 percent penetration in the region .
Sam Delgado , a retired vice president of external affairs at Verizon , worked with Diaz for many years . He said Diaz succeeds because “ he ’ s a bottom-line kind of guy .”
“ His big statement has always been ‘ how do we get to yes and how do we get to yes so that we ’ re both winners ’,” Delgado said . The retired executive said Horizon should get “ kudos for recognizing his ( Diaz ) talent , his network in New Jersey and finally giving him a senior executive position and diversifying their C-suite .”
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey hired Diaz as Director of Enterprise Government Affairs in 2016 . “ It was a huge learning curve ” going from utilities to healthcare , he said . It was no longer about pipes and central offices ; it was pharmacies , hospitals , relationships with doctors , consumers , and insurance coverage , to name a few of the issues that confront Horizon .
Diaz describes it as an “ octopus with many arms and legs . When you ’ re trying to understand what parts are critical , it can be difficult .”
When Diaz started with the insurer , Horizon was in the news over its Omni plan , an innovative product designed to lower costs . But that controversy paled in comparison to the upheaval felt when former Gov . Chris Christie tried to tap $ 300 million from its reserves . “ I never experienced anything like it ,” Diaz recalled . Horizon marshalled all its resources in the legislature , public and the media to stress that Christie ’ s plan could have devastating consequences resulting in huge premium hike . Ultimately , it was defeated when then Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto refused to convene a hearing on it .
Soon after the raid on the reserve fund was averted , Diaz was promoted to Vice President of Government Affairs in 2018 . Earlier this year he was named Senior Vice President of Government Affairs . In making the announcement CEO Gary D St . Hilaire said : “ Uli has given our members a strong voice at the table when decisions affecting their health are being made in Trenton and Washington , D . C .”
Diaz said he is proud of the work achieved by his dedicated team and its external consultants . In the past year they have succeeded with a mutualization bill that will allow Horizon to compete as a non-profit in the market .
“ Going forward I want to try to do more to help this company be successful ,” he said , adding . “ I ’ d also like to encourage minorities and young men and women to grow and if I can help them do it will . … It ’ s nice to leave something behind .”
Ulises Diaz , in his office with a view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance .
Photo : Anthony Ruggiero
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