By the end of June, the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Fargo, will interview finalists for the job of president and chief executive officer. The company expects to announce the new president and CEO by August.

Tim Huckle, executive vice president of Health Operations, has served as interim president and CEO since March. The board recently hired Pace Group, a Chicago-based executive search firm, to conduct a nationwide search for likely candidates.

"The search will place an emphasis on candidates who have lived or worked in the upper Midwest," said Dennis Elbert, the board's search committee co-chairman. "We are a strong company looking for a strong leader."

Candidates must have a college degree and 10 years of work experience in the health care industry. "As we continue our commitment to our members and providers, and address national health care reform, our new CEO will have the right combination of experience and leadership traits," added Robert Lamp, search committee co-chairman.