West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 105

1985
1990
1985 Achieved the rank
of second lieutenant in
the U.S. Air Force
1986 Son, James III, was born
1988 Started working for Blue
Cross of Western Pennsylvania
1990 Son, Steven, was born
“The opportunities to improve
West Virginia’s health and
economy, help our customers
excel in their businesses and
improve staff growth and development
really motivate me.”
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2008 Named to the Greater
Pittsburgh Arts Council
board of directors
2013 Grandson, James IV,
was born
2016 Granddaughter,
Caelyn, was born
2016 Named president of
Highmark West Virginia
2019 Named to West
Virginia Health Information
Network board of directors
2019 Granddaughter,
Vanessa, was born
Fawcett earned his first management
role in Pennsylvania, where he ultimately
became the senior vice president of all
Pennsylvania sales and client management.
He then made a significant leadership
role change by heading up Highmark’s
provider contracting efforts in Pennsylvania,
Delaware and West Virginia before
becoming president of Highmark West
Virginia, which he considers his greatest
professional achievement.
“Earning the role of president in this
well-established and tremendously wellperforming
organization and being able to
integrate with this team has been the single
most enjoyable achievement in my career,”
he says. “If I had not been willing to jump
divisions, learn new aspects of our industry
or relocate to where the new challenges are
occurring, I would not have been qualified.”
Fawcett credits his dedication to being
a team player—encouraging good communication,
inclusion, accountability,
honesty and integrity—for his success.
“I find the opportunities to improve
West Virginia’s health and economy, help
our customers excel in their businesses
and improve staff growth and development
really motivate me,” he says.
Both in and outside of work, Fawcett
is passionate about serving people and
improving quality of life. He is a supporter
of the United Way Alliance of the
Mid-Ohio Valley and previously served as
the board chair for the Greater Pittsburgh
Arts Council. Highmark has given Fawcett
the opportunity to pursue his passion for
investing in the state’s eco nomic development,
and he currently serves on the board
of directors for the Park ersburg-Wood
County Area Develop ment Corporation,
Wood County Development Authority and
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce to
focus on attracting and retaining private
industry in the state.
Through Highmark and the Highmark
Foundation, Fawcett works toward improving
the health and safety of West
Virginians by garnering regional support
for organizations and schools through
initiatives like the Creating a Healthy
School Environment Grant and Awards
program. Highmark also provides funding
for many organizations throughout the
Mountain State, including West Virginia
Health Right’s SCALE weight loss program;
the Women’s Health Center of West
Virginia’s Right from the Start initiative;
West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s
opioid addiction series; Cabell Huntington
Hospital’s Maternal Opioid Medication
Support program; and Huntington’s Provider
Response Organization for Addiction
Care and Treatment.
“Our more than 600 Highmark West
Virginia employees live in communities
throughout the state, and every impact
we make can touch us both directly and
indirectly right at home,” he says.
While Fawcett’s career has taken him to
different states, he holds a special place in
his heart for West Virginia and its people.
“In my 28 years with Highmark Pennsylvania,
I had a number of reasons to
work with our team in West Virginia,” he
recalls. “I always noticed how competent,
effective, kind and polite our team members
were, and that stuck with me. When
my predecessor announced his retirement,
I immediately threw my hat in the ring. I
already knew the team was outstanding,
and the fit has been wonderful.” •
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