Priority Health in Grand Rapids has named Nick Gates as the company’s new president. Gates had been serving as interim president since May 2025.
“Nick has demonstrated exceptional leadership and played a pivotal role in Priority Health’s success,” says Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health. “His deep understanding of our mission and his ability to lead through this time of complex changes in the health insurance field made him the clear choice to guide Priority Health into its next chapter.”
Gates brings more than 20 years of health plan, finance, and accounting experience to the role. He joined Priority Health in 2004 and has held a variety of finance and leadership positions, including serving as senior vice president of finance.
Since May, Gates has advanced a companywide digital transformation to simplify and improve experiences for health plan members and providers. He also successfully guided Priority Health through the agreement process with plans to become the sole governing member of Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire, which will expand Priority Health’s regional footprint to four states.
“I’m honored to serve as president and eager to continue working to improve health outcomes and affordability for our health plan members,” Gates says.
Ann Harten, chair of the Priority Health board, says: “Nick’s proven leadership and institutional knowledge make him uniquely qualified to lead Priority Health. We’re confident in his ability to continue advancing our strategic priorities and delivering value to our members and partners.”
