Insurance
President and CEO, Wisconsin and Michigan
UnitedHealthcare | Milwaukee
Dustin Hinton has led UnitedHealthcare’s operations in Wisconsin since 2014. The insurance company leads the state in market share, with 1.6 million members, 8,600 employees, and a network of roughly 200 hospitals and more than 38,000 physicians across the state.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Illinois
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
"I worked at a furniture store when I was 15 on the weekends. I ran the old time elevator and helped people load their furniture. I learned to lift with the legs, not the back."
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
"Recognize your weaknesses and use your strengths to overcome those weaknesses."
If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why?
"I won't list two specific names, but will list roles. I think I would love to have dinner with my predecessor(s) and successor in my CEO role here at UnitedHealthcare. The job can be somewhat isolating at times and to be able to pick the brain of those before me and share common experiences would be amazing. As well as, have the opportunity to share what I have learned with whomever replaces me, I would find that experience very rewarding."
Favorite destinations: "My happy place is our cottage in Rhinelander (not fancy). Barcelona, Kauai, and Ti Kaye in St. Lucia were pretty special trips."
What is one book you think everyone should read and why?
"Time on the Water - Bill Gardner. No, it's not a business book, it is a classic fishing book describing the exhilaration and frustration of musky fishing. The author also takes you on a journey of the Northwoods of Wisconsin which hits home for so many."
What’s your hobby/passion?
"Musky fishing - (see book recommendation). As I get older, it's fishing in general as musky fishing becomes more physically challenging. I love the quest of catching a 50-incher, and the thrill of a potential strike at the side of the boat. (Don't be lazy on your figure 8's)."
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
"Jake's in Brookfield. Can't go wrong with a filet there."
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)?
"That I have become super handy through the years. I struggle to sit still when I am at our place up North (Rhinelander) and love to fix and improve things there. I shouldn't share that I get excited when the Family Handyman magazine arrives each month, but I do."
What was your first car? How long did you drive it for?
"Mazda MX3 - 4 years."
If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?
"I think I would take some trips with my parents. Now that I am older and know how much time with our son means to my wife and I, I think I would try to catch up with my parents and give them the gift of time with their immediate family back to them."
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?
"I was moved out of a role – not by choice – 12 years ago. My boss at the time told me that it would be hard for me to understand at the time, but it was the best thing for me and my career. She believed I was in the wrong role, and she would help advance my career in a different job/lane I was better suited to be in. It’s still hard for me to accept but looking back now she might have been right."
What advice would you give to a young professional?
"Be patient and always give 100% effort. You don't always need to jump around to advance, I believe good things come to those that give 100% effort and build their internal and external reputation and relationships."
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
"The launch of our Nexus ACO product, partnering with Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert and the Medical College and Children's Wisconsin. The market is really excited about a new offering from UnitedHealthcare, but in general something new in the marketplace. This combination of partners has never been done quite like this before. I continue to thank each of those system CEOs and their leadership teams for making Nexus ACO happen. It's hard not to see this as a major positive for our community, moving health care forward."
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better? "Lower health care costs. I agonize (over) what increasing costs do to employers throughout our state. We have the fourth-highest health care costs in the country."
As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up or theme song and why?
"Van Halen - 'Top of the World.' I am a Gen Xer, that grew up with Eddie Van Halen. I think that song translates to the good fortune I have to work with the people I do and the opportunity I have to make a difference with my company."
Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you?
"I have been on the board for the American Lung Association (ALA) for the last 10 years. My dad has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after years of smoking. The ALA's message that 'when you can't breathe (or you don't have your health) nothing else matters,' resonates with me because of family and friends who have suffered with their lung health."
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
"I would have to say the launch of our new Nexus ACO product. It's the first move we have made away from our broad network offering, highlighting a few key provider partners. Our customers are asking us to do more to help control costs, while still providing good quality access for their employees and their families. Agitating the marketplace with our new product and network comes with its stresses, but without some level of disruption we can't deliver what the market needs to move health care forward."
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
"For me, when I think bucket list, I think travel. It's hard not to dream of some day going to Australia/New Zealand or doing an Alaskan cruise, but I think Italy might be the highest on my bucket list right now. Any opportunity to travel with my family and see and experience something new together is the real goal."
What has you most excited about the future?
"Younger people coming up in our organization and throughout our industry. Watching them develop their skills and getting opportunities to be the next leaders. I think younger people are the accelerants to reshaping corporate America. The reshaping is bringing more flexibility, diversity and work life balance, which leads to a brighter future."
