LAKE FOREST, Calif., Nov. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Apria Healthcare Group Inc. (NYSE:AHG) announced today several management changes designed to enhance the company's ability to increase revenue growth and streamline operations.
Jeff Ingram, who most recently served as the Company's Senior Vice President, National Accounts and in prior sales management leadership positions within Apria, has been named Executive Vice President of Sales, with responsibility for both sales and marketing. In his National Accounts role, Jeff was responsible for the group that won or renewed significant national managed care contracts with CIGNA, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, United Healthcare and Humana.
Daniel J. Starck, who has been Apria's Executive Vice President, Business Operations for the past several years, has been named to the newly-created position of Executive Vice President of Customer Services, with expanded responsibility for all logistics, customer service, billing and collection functions. Starck and Ingram will both report to Lawrence A. Mastrovich, Apria's President and Chief Operating Officer. Anthony S. Domenico, formerly Executive Vice President, Sales and John J. McDowell, formerly Executive Vice President, Logistics, are resigning from the company to pursue other interests.
The company also announced a reorganization of its field operations and sales organizations, realigning its four geographic divisions into three, each with five regions covering the eastern, central and western portions of the United States.
In commenting on the restructuring, Chief Executive Officer Lawrence M. Higby stated, "We believe that the senior management changes announced today will significantly strengthen our organization as we move into 2006. Accelerating sales growth is our number one priority going into the new year, and with Jeff Ingram's proven track record of driving both traditional and managed care sales, we believe that he is the right person to lead our sales organization."
Apria provides home respiratory therapy, home infusion therapy and home medical equipment through more than 500 branches serving patients in 50 states. With $1.5 billion in annual revenues, it is the nation's leading homecare company.
This release may contain statements regarding anticipated future developments that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Results may differ materially as a result of the risk factors included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other factors over which the Company has no control.