• Restaino previously served as the executive director of the Seventh Street Public Market with Charlotte Center City Partners since 2013
  • Ellison Clary retires from BCBSNC on April 3 after more than four years as the director of community relations in Charlotte

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announces Michael Restaino as the new director of community relations in Charlotte. In this role, Restaino will build on BCBSNC’s strong community presence in Charlotte through continued support of existing partnerships and the development of new collaborations to improve the health and well-being of the Charlotte community.

Michael’s professional background makes him uniquely qualified for this position,” said Kathy Higgins, vice president of corporate affairs at BCBSNC. “He has experience both as a solid business leader and a passionate community leader. We are excited to have him join our team and he will be a strong asset to enhance our relationship with the Charlotte community.”

BCBSNC’s commitment to Charlotte includes initiatives like Charlotte B-cycle, the first bike-share program in North Carolina; Seventh Street Public Market, the urban garden in Johnson C. Smith University’s on-campus Sustainability Village, and UNC Charlotte’s Chancellor’s Speaker Series.

Restaino assumes responsibility of key initiatives from Ellison Clary, who is retiring from BCBSNC on April 3 after more than four years as the director of community relations in Charlotte.

“BCBSNC continues to build upon its legacy of leadership in the Charlotte region in the field of healthcare and wellness,” said Michael Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners. “We will miss Ellison Clary in this role and we are grateful for his leadership. We welcome this exciting news of Mike Restaino’s appointment to this position and look forward to working with Michael through our important partnerships with BCBSNC.”

Locating an experienced community relations leader in Charlotte who can maintain close working relationships with a vast network of local thought leaders and community stakeholders demonstrates BCBSNC’s commitment to customers and communities in the greater Charlotte area.

“We’ve found the perfect person to represent Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in Charlotte, said Clary. “Mike literally turned the Seventh Street Public Market around and molded it into the vibrant gathering spot it is today. Charlotte leaders will soon appreciate his energy and enthusiasm, not to mention his considerable savvy.”

Restaino previously served as the executive director of the Seventh Street Public Market with Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) since 2013, leading the Market business operations, successfully connecting the Market with the community, and managing relationships with the Market’s business owners. Prior to joining CCCP, Restaino managed the Private Brand of Belk, Inc. as vice president of Belk’s Private Brand.

About BCBSNC:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.91 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. We have been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute every year since 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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