The American Jewish Committee (AJC) presented Premera Blue Cross President and CEO H.R. Brereton (Gubby) Barlow with the AJC Human Relations Award at a Gala Dinner on Nov. 1.

The Human Relations Award is AJC’s highest honor, given annually to one outstanding leader in the corporate community who has distinguished him or herself through professional achievements and a commitment to enhancing human dignity.

“We are proud to be honoring Gubby Barlow with our prestigious Human Relations Award,” said Islander Wendy Rosen, Regional Director of AJC Seattle.  “Throughout his life, Gubby has worked tirelessly to promote and support causes that are working to transform the American health care system into one which will better serve the needs of our children and grandchildren.  It is his leadership, vision and dedication to the long-term health and well-being of our society that make him a role model for what we should expect of our community, business and government leaders,” Rosen said.

Barlow joined Premera Blue Cross in 1997, and served as chief operating officer prior to being named CEO. Barlow’s career includes chief financial officer stints with two other health care organizations: Health Net, and AHI Healthcare Systems Inc. Prior to these, Barlow was a partner at Deloitte Touche.

Barlow serves on several boards including Blue Cross Blue Shield Association; Seattle University College of Nursing Advisory Board; National Institute for Health Care Management; Premera Blue Cross; University of Washington Business School; and Washington Healthcare Forum, and Emeritus Corporation. A native of South Africa, Barlow holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Cape Town and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at the University of California at Los Angeles.

The event featured Gerald Grinstein, Former CEO of Delta Airlines. Honorary co-chairs were Rick Fox, Former Managing Partner of Ernst & Young, Anne Farrell, Former President and CEO of The Seattle Foundation and Bob Jaffe, K&L Gates Special Counsel. Jean Enersen of King 5 TV was the emcee.

Barlow joins a distinguished list of past local and national AJC Human Relations Award recipients, including Bill Neukom, Arnie Prentice and Kibble and Prentice, Stan Barer, Phyllis Campbell, Constance and Norm Rice and Gary Kaplan and Virginia Mason Medical Center.  Jean-Paul Agon, Chief Executive Officer and Director, L’Oreal recently received the AJC Human Relations Award in New York.