May 12, 2003

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of retired Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), Robert H. Naftaly, C.P.A., as chair of the State Tax Commission.

 “Robert will serve Michigan’s citizens with the same dedication and commitment to excellence that he did in the private sector for so many years,” Granholm said.  “He will once again serve the people of Michigan with pride.” 

Naftaly, of West Bloomfield, most recently retired from PPOM, an independent operating subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he served as president and CEO and also as executive vice president, chief operating officer for the Blues.  Previously, he was senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer for BCBSM.

Before joining BCBSM in 1998, Naftaly served as vice president and general auditor for Detroit Edison.  He also served as Director of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget for the State of Michigan from 1983-87.  Prior to serving the State of Michigan, he had been a managing partner and founder of Geller, Naftaly, Herbach & Shapero, a certified public accounting firm.

The State Tax Commission has general supervision of the administration of the property tax laws in Michigan.  The commission also serves on the State Board of Assessors which is responsible for assessing certain state-assessed properties such as telephone companies and railroads.