Highmark CEO Fired After Fight in Oakmont

The chief executive officer of Highmark, Kenneth R. Melani, was fired on Sunday.

According to WTAE, the Highmark board of directors fired Melani. He had been placed on unpaid administrative leave last week after Oakmont police filed charges of defiant trespass and simple assault against him.

Melani allegedly last Sunday. Myler is the husband of Melani's mistress, Melissa Myler, who also was employed at Highmark.

Melani began his career with Highmark in 1989 and had been CEO since 2003. He also served on many boards, including the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Washington and Jefferson College, and Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh.

J. Robert Baum currently is acting CEO for the company.

"The board has reviewed this situation thoroughly and has taken decisive action to address the matter," Baum said in a statement. "For 75 years, Highmark has served this community with integrity and is committed to maintaining the highest standards. We have dedicated, hard-working employees and I know they take great pride in working for Highmark. Our mission of providing quality, affordable health care has never been more important, and I'm looking forward to working with our employees and senior management team in addressing the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Early Sunday evening, Melani already had been removed as CEO from the Highmark website.

Melani's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, at 9 a.m. before Plum District Justice Linda Zucco.

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