Medical startup Validare names new CEO

<p>HEALDSBURG – Locally backed medical solutions startup Validare has closed its small Healdsburg headquarters and appointed a new CEO to direct the company into new markets.</p><p>Rock Rocket, formerly the company's vice president of health plan relations, has been named CEO, replacing founder, President and CEO Jack Anderson.</p><p>Launched in Healdsburg in 2001, Validare offers an alternative to hospital and outpatient services. The company software walks physicians through the Joint Commission on Accrediting Healthcare Organizations certification process, monitoring results of in-office procedures and billing insurers.</p><p>Originally targeting physicians with the promise of a new revenue stream, Validare's investors – including North Bay Angel Chairman Steve Weiss – concluded its service would be adopted much more rapidly if it were marketed as a money-saver to health care providers.</p><p>That strategy proved successful. Validare solutions are used by 100 physicians nationwide, and the company has contracted with about 20 insurers to market the service to their doctors, according to Mr. Rocket.</p><p>"We're in talks with several very big health plans, one from New York," he said.</p><p>Validare has found a fertile market among East Coast insurers, who are fighting to reduce costs and stay competitive as manufacturing layoffs cut into their client base. Mr. Rocket is located in Chicago, and the company's accreditation office is on Long Island. Headquarters will be shifted to an office in San Ramon.</p><p>"We saw that consolidation was needed to optimize our resources," said Mr. Weiss, who serves on the Validare board of directors.</p><p>"Fundamentally, the company is moving forward with a core team that covers its needs very well. Rock has had extensive experience on the health-plan-payer side. He's held positions with several forward-looking providers, and he understands what it takes to make a network," Mr. Weiss said.</p><p>"The change should prove positive to employees, shareholders and customers."</p><p>Validare maintained a small executive core in Healdsburg, where Mr. Anderson and his wife, who also held a position with the company, live. Most of its 20 employees are scattered around the country, and less than 10 workers and executives lost their jobs in the shuffle.</p><p>"I believe our investors are pleased with Validare's progress and future investment opportunities," said Mr. Rocket. "I know from surveys we've conducted that our client satisfaction is high."</p>