He succeeds Kristin Merlo who is retiring after five years of leadership

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 25, 2026 —The Delta Dental of Arkansas (DDAR) Board of Directors elected Jimmy Anthony to serve as the organization’s next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2027. He will succeed Kristin Merlo, who will retire after five years of leading the organization. Merlo will remain in an advisory role through the first quarter of 2027 to support the transition.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Kristin for the profound impact she has had on the organization,” said Phil Cox, chair of the DDAR board of directors. “During her tenure, DDAR invested in innovative care delivery models and modernized its technology and products. She leaves the organization financially stronger, more strategically diversified and better positioned to advance its mission.”

Merlo transformed DDAR from a regional dental benefits company into a diversified health solutions enterprise, expanding its role in the oral health ecosystem to improve access to care and advance innovation.

“I decided this was the right time to retire, a decision I made knowing the company is strong and Jimmy is ready," said Merlo. “Serving as DDAR’s CEO has been an honor, and I am deeply grateful to the Board for the opportunity. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and thankful for its commitment to our customers, members, network dentists and community partners. Jimmy’s leadership ability is matched by his dedication to this organization and its mission. I am confident DDAR will thrive under his leadership.”

Anthony brings nearly two decades of healthcare and insurance leadership experience. He began his career with DDAR in 2007, advancing through roles spanning underwriting, strategy, operations, customer relationships and technology transformation. Since February 2025, he has served as founding CEO of Bravere, a DDAR subsidiary.

An Arkansas native, Anthony earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He completed his MBA at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

“Jimmy is the right leader to guide DDAR into its next chapter of growth and transformation,” Cox said. “He has distinguished himself through his leadership, strategic insight and unwavering commitment to our mission of improving the oral health of all Arkansans. His deep knowledge of our organization and industry, combined with his experience leading innovation and change, make him exceptionally well prepared for this role.”

“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and the opportunity to lead DDAR into its next chapter,” said Anthony. “I am grateful to Kristin for her leadership and the strong foundation she has established. The standard she set for leadership is one we will carry forward. We will remain firmly grounded in our mission as we strengthen our core business, invest in innovation and expand access to oral healthcare. I look forward to working with our talented team and valued partners to build on the organization’s momentum.”

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About Delta Dental of Arkansas

Delta Dental of Arkansas is the largest dental benefits provider in the state, helping more than 600,000 Arkansans and 2 million members nationwide keep their smiles healthy through commercial group and individual coverage. As a not-for-profit company, Delta Dental is dedicated to improving the oral health of Arkansans through the philanthropic efforts of its foundation, which has donated nearly $4 million over the past three years to support oral health education initiatives. More information is available at https://www.deltadentalar.com/.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kay McDowell

479-439-3772

kay.mcdowell214@gmail.com