Our Leadership

James Laughman, MSW, LSW, President, PerformCare

James Laughman, MSW, LSW

President, PerformCare | President, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Solutions, AmeriHealth Caritas

James A. Laughman, MSW, LSW, is President of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Solutions for AmeriHealth Caritas. In this role, he leads the team that coordinates care and social services for members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, he is President of PerformCare®, AmeriHealth Caritas' full-service behavioral health managed care organization (MCO).

Prior to his current appointment, Laughman served as Executive Director of the behavioral health MCO doing business in Pennsylvania. He has devoted the majority of his career to improving the quality of life for people with behavioral, intellectual, or developmental challenges.

For more than nine years, he served as Administrator of Behavioral Health and Developmental Service in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Other notable achievements include his leadership with the Lancaster County Public Health Partnership and his state appointment as trustee on the board for Norristown State Hospital.

He has also dedicated many years of service to breaking the cycle of homelessness. As Lead Administrator for the Coalition to End Homelessness in Lancaster County, Laughman oversaw the successful application for $2.2 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding, and the implementation of that award to provide permanent housing for families most in need.

Through Laughman's leadership as County Human Services Administrator, Lancaster County implemented an efficiency program featuring innovative software for human services programs administration that reduced service duplications and increased access to information that helped the county save more than $600,000 and improve response time.

Laughman continues to work to lower costs and improve care. He encourages state and federal lawmakers to fund efforts to help revitalize neighborhoods and address social determinants that impact health and wellness, such as housing, neighborhood safety, and health care. In addition, Laughman is a passionate advocate in helping to combat the opioid epidemic, promoting mental well-being and reducing stigma associated with behavioral health challenges.

Laughman earned a master's degree in social work from Temple University.

He serves on the board for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and helps advance its mission promoting inclusivity in all dimensions of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Laughman also serves on the board of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness.

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Lisa A. Hanzel, MBA

Lisa A. Hanzel, MBA

Executive Director, PerformCare in Pennsylvania

Lisa Hanzel is Executive Director of PerformCare in Pennsylvania, a full-service behavioral health managed care organization (MCO). She is responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and leadership of the MCO.

Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Hanzel held the role of Compliance Director for PerformCare in Pennsylvania, and was accountable for compliance with county, federal, and state Medicaid and Medicare regulatory requirements.

With more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry, Hanzel honed her expertise serving commercial health insurance and Medicare programs. She held several leadership positions with Highmark Blue Shield, including Compliance Auditor and Senior Compliance and Integrity Analyst within the Integrity Office.

Hanzel earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Mount Saint Mary's College and is a certified compliance and ethics professional (CCEP).

She served as a key volunteer for more than 10 years at Highmark Caring Place, a center for children, adolescents, and their families that is committed to helping grieving children get the support they need. Hanzel has also volunteered for various United Way events throughout her career.

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Valery Bailey, MPA, CPM, Executive Director, PerformCare in New Jersey

Valery Bailey, MPA, CPM

Executive Director, PerformCare in New Jersey

Valery Bailey is the Executive Director of PerformCare in New Jersey. Part of AmeriHealth Caritas, this national, full-service behavioral health managed care company is ensuring access to treatment and achieving clinical outcomes through service excellence for youth and families in Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial plans.

Her primary role as Contracted System Administrator for the New Jersey Children’s System of Care is to manage access to treatment for youth up to the age of 21, and oversee clinical services, member engagement, information technology, operations, and quality improvement.

Bailey's 35-year career in human services began on the front lines of care as a direct support professional, behavior specialist, and regional trainer. She served the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) for 20 years, honing her knowledge of state and federal regulations. Her DHS accomplishments led to an appointment by the Commissioner to the Office of the Chief of Staff, where she served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff and then to the Chief of Staff.

In 2006, when Governor John Corzine signed legislation creating the Department of Children and Families, Bailey joined its inaugural leadership. Her extensive work in establishing and reengineering business practices led to her appointment to the Director of Contract Administration, Accounting and Procurement, where she served until she left state services for the private sector.

After her lengthy career in the public sector, Bailey assumed the role of Executive Director for The Mentor Network, overseeing two state operations. She managed a leadership team of eight and a general workforce of 1,000 employees and more than $50 million in revenue.

Bailey also served as the Director of Administration for Covenant House Pennsylvania (CHPA), which supports homeless, runaway, and trafficked youth. Before joining PerformCare, she was the Vice President of Operations for a behavioral health organization. Her responsibilities included business development, contract management, staff development, state and federal compliance, and payer and community relations.

Bailey earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Rowan University and a Master of Science in public administration from Rutgers University. She is a certified public manager and certified mediator, and trained through the National Association of Regulatory Administrators. She is a member of the American Society of Public Administrators and the National Association for People with Developmental Disabilities. She has garnered awards that include Top Performing Executive, Top Quality Performer, Stars Award for Excellence, and recognition from the National Association of Black Business Women.

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