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EPOCH glad to be moving to Fort Scott; Top company executive says he loves the community and the work ethic here is tops
EPOCH Group President and Chief Operations Officer Tony Pino knew Fort Scott would be the perfect location for the new company as he is familiar with the community.
Pino, who was in Fort Scott Thursday making further plans for the new business, talked to the Tribune about how and why the new medical claims and call center operation is coming to Fort Scott. It is expected to open July 5 in a building that most recently housed CIGNA Healthcare.
Pino, whose office is in Overland Park, said the primary reason the EPOCH Group, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, will be based in Fort Scott is because of his connection with the town, having formerly served as a top executive for a similar local company.
"I was the former CEO of Medplans, which was acquired by Firstsource," he said. "It's (Fort Scott) always been near and dear to my heart. The community has been supportive. The work ethic here is second to none. I thought it was the best place to have a successful company."
Pino said the plan to bring the company to Fort Scott has only been in the works for about a month. His first day in his new position as one of the company's top executives was Monday. He said he was hired with the goal of bringing the EPOCH Group to Fort Scott.
Pino said he was "influential" in getting the business to Fort Scott, but several local people and groups, including Mercy Health Center, which owns the building where the company will be located at 2801 S. Horton, city of Fort Scott officials, Bourbon County Economic Development Council representatives and other prominent citizens, were instrumental in the effort as well.
On July 5, the company will become operational with 13 claims examiners and data entry positions to adjudicate claims for its parent company, and four management positions.
Pino said the company offers "wages that are competitive in the community." The management jobs were filled by local people and some former employees of CIGNA, which used to be Great West Health Care, were hired to fill other positions. CIGNA vacated the Horton Street building last year.
The company will celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony that will be open to the public.
Pino said company officials talked to 111 applicants during a series of job fairs held last week at Fort Scott Community College to fill needed positions. Many of those applicants are former CIGNA and Great West employees.
"It's a very experienced labor pool," he said. "We're really excited. It's a great community and great people."
EPOCH Group will be an outsource company for Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans across the United States, Pino said. Staff at the center will process insurance claims, complete data entry and provide customer service. The company will lease space on the second floor of the facility.
Pino said the company will be involved in the local community and has plans to grow.
"Blue Cross Blue Shield is a community oriented nationally," he said. "The EPOCH Group will be responsible corporate citizens."
The company's short-term goal is to employ 30 to 35 people by the end of the year and 100 to 125 people by the end of 2012, Pino said.