(HARTFORD, CT) - Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Chair of the Board of Access Health CT, announced that the Board of Directors voted this afternoon to appoint James R. Wadleigh, Jr. to serve as permanent Chief Executive Officer of Access Health CT, effective today, February 19, 2015.

"We are very pleased to make this announcement-Jim has done a tremendous job at Access Health CT," said Lt. Governor Wyman. "His expertise and leadership have helped make Connecticut's exchange a national model-and this success has translated to nearly a half million enrollments through Access Health CT. We look forward to his continued commitment and dedication to the people of Connecticut."

"I am honored that the Board has asked me to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer permanently," said Wadleigh. "We have a great team at Access Health CT and I look forward to working with them in my new role as we continue to do what we've been doing since day one: providing people with quality, affordable healthcare."

Since August, 2014, Wadleigh, 47, has served as Acting CEO of Access Health CT. Prior to assuming that role, he was the healthcare exchange's Chief Information Officer. His team was recognized as the Healthcare Innovator of the Year by the Government Technology Research Alliance and Health Technology Research Advisory & Council. Access Health CT was one of three finalists for the Project Management Institute's Global Project of the Year.

Wadleigh's career spans 25 years in information technology across multiple insurance industries including health care, property casualty, life insurance, and annuities. Prior to joining Access Health CT, Wadleigh served as Senior Director of Application Development, Call Center Technologies CIGNA.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The University of Vermont and a Master of Science degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.