by HomeCare Staff

Las Vegas

Kay Cox will replace Tom Connaughton as president of AAHomecare, effective June 1, the association announced last month at Medtrade Spring.

Cox most recently served as vice president of the Washington office and political action committee of Beverly Enterprises, a $2.4 billion company that operates skilled nursing facilities nationwide.

Since March 21, when Connaughton announced his decision to resign, the association has considered 26 candidates and interviewed seven finalists to fill his shoes, according to Steve Knoll, the association's outgoing chairman.

Prior to her Beverly position, Cox was president and chief executive officer of a health care consulting group, where she advised providers on public policy issues, the association said. Before that, she coordinated federal contracts with such government agencies as the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor and the Veterans Administration.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead this growing association at a time when home care issues, such as competitive bidding and Medicare co-pays, are at the top of the national Medicare-reform agenda,” Cox said.

Cox has signed a three-year contract with the association, where she will serve as the official spokesperson on public policy.