ST. LOUIS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced the appointment of Toni Simonetti to the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, effective immediately.

Simonetti, an experienced corporate communications professional, with particular emphasis in finance, strategy, media relations, reputation management and public policy, will lead Centene's newly aligned Corporate Marketing and Communications Department, as well as develop an integrated public relations program for the company and its subsidiaries. She will report to Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are pleased to have Ms. Simonetti join Centene," Neidorff said. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of public affairs from both a national and global perspective that will be invaluable as we continue to grow our organization."

Simonetti has more than 20 years of experience leading communications teams and providing "C-Suite counsel," most recently as chief communications officer of GMAC, a financial services company. She also served as vice president of communications for GMAC and executive director of media relations, financial communications and public policy communications for General Motors. Prior to her various corporate communications positions, she worked as a newspaper reporter and editor over a number of years for local newspapers in suburban Detroit.  

A native of Detroit, Mich., Simonetti earned her bachelor's degree in journalism in 1979 and a master's degree in business administration, both from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. She is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and The Arthur Page Society. She will divide her time between the New York and St. Louis offices.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, Long-Term Care and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates local health plans and offers a wide range of health insurance solutions to individuals and the rising number of uninsured Americans. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, pharmacy benefits management and medication adherence. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation