The Newark Museum of Art, the largest art institution in New Jersey, has appointed two prominent business leaders to serve as Board of Trustee co-chairs: Eric Fitzgerald Reed, Vice President – Public Policy & Community Engagement for Verizon Communications; and Allen J. Karp, Executive Vice President of Healthcare Management and Transformation at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ).
Both Reed and Karp were formally installed as co-chairs at The Newark Museum of Art 111th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 17th.
“We are delighted that Allen and Eric have accepted these roles to lead our board and help us seize the opportunities that present themselves during these challenging times,” said Linda C. Harrison, Director and CEO of The Newark Museum of Art. “These two individuals both bring expertise in innovation, technology and government relations that I know will prove invaluable for the Museum. I am looking forward to having their many talents at hand, as we continue our recovery.”
Current Board Members, Karp and Reed will take over for Clifford Blanchard and Christine C. Gilfillan, who have served as Board Co-Chairs since 2017.
“We are extremely thankful to Clifford and Christine for their leadership the last four years. I personally have enjoyed and benefited from their friendship and deep, heartfelt dedication to the Museum,” Harrison said. “They have been our dynamic duo through exciting and unexpected years. I am grateful that both will remain involved in The Newark Museum of Art in the future, and the entire board and museum staff feel the same way.”
In his position at Verizon Communications in Washington, D.C., Reed is responsible for analyzing emerging tech industry trends and managing telecommunications developments as they relate to public policy and community engagement.
Reed leads Verizon’s outreach to an array of technology and community-based stakeholders with vested interests in telecommunications policy, regulatory and legislative matters at the state and local level. In this role, he advances the company’s positions and analyzes emerging technologies, consumer and industry trends, and related telecommunications policy issues.
In addition to his public policy and community engagement responsibilities, Reed manages relationships with business and tech associations, strategic partners, state and local government agencies and community organizations important to the policy process.
Reed began his career at Verizon in November 2000 and has worked in various government affairs and legal functions since joining the company.
“I am honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Newark Museum of Art, and I look forward to working alongside Director Linda Harrison as we reunite to work collaboratively and deliver creative arts experiences to the Newark community,” said Reed. “Alongside my colleague and fellow Co-Chair Allen Karp, the commitment to implementing innovative digital assets and programming, while providing strategic direction on behalf of this important arts, cultural and community institution, is an exciting opportunity. Many thanks to our former Co-Chairs Christine Gilfillan and Clifford Blanchard for their leadership over the last four years. They have created a steady foundation and roadmap as we navigate future success for the Museum in the years ahead.”
In his role at Newark-based Horizon BCBSNJ, Karp has responsibility for the insurer’s health care value strategy and clinical and network operations. He also leads the pharmacy, behavioral health and health care analytics operations. Karp has over 30 years of experience in leading health care delivery and service organizations. His innovative approach to health care delivery models provides experienced leadership as Horizon BCBSNJ leads a transformation away from fee-for-service to value-based health insurance models. These models reward doctors and hospitals for quality, cost-effective care and enhanced member experience.
Prior to joining Horizon BCBSNJ, Karp held senior leadership positions with Coventry Healthcare, Aetna and MedPartners Inc. At Coventry Healthcare, he served as senior vice president, leading its national network and the development of the company’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and high-performance network strategy. He has implemented numerous innovative value-based models with hospitals and physicians in several states. He was also responsible for First Health, a Coventry Healthcare Company that offers a national, integrated PPO network.
“As a member of Newark’s corporate community, I am struck by the meaningful role The Newark Museum of Art plays in the cultural fabric of this great city,” Karp said. “As we know, the world will never ever be the same after 2020. I look forward to working with Eric and the rest of the Board – as well as museum leadership – to help steer the institution into the future.”
