ST. LOUIS, Sept. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Orlando Ayala of Microsoft Corporation was elected to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Ayala currently serves as Vice President, Chairman, Emerging Markets, and Chief Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft. The addition of Mr. Ayala increases the number of independent Directors on Centene's board to eight and total membership to nine.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to welcome Orlando Ayala to our Board of Directors. Mr. Ayala has been with Microsoft for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of expertise to Centene. His outstanding track record of growing businesses and bringing new products to emerging markets will add great value to our board."

"There are few areas as exciting and challenging as healthcare given the urgent need for effective solutions targeted to enable better options for underserved populations. The opportunity to address these challenges represents a key element to establishing a foundation for increased social and economic opportunity for these communities and society as a whole. Given this is right at the core of Centene's business and technological vision, I could not be more excited to join the board in these unique times," said Mr. Ayala.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Ayala has held increasingly senior leadership roles in the technology sector. Prior to joining Microsoft, he worked for NCR Corporation.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, long-term care, other state-sponsored programs and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique "exchange-based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation