Longtime Centene CEO Michael Neidorff Passed away at 79
3 min read
Michael Neidorff, a longtime leader of Centene Corp. and a stalwart of the St. Louis business community, died on Thursday at the age of 79. For 26 years, Neidorff headed the Clayton-based corporation, transforming it from a small health-care provider to a Fortune 25 behemoth — and the region’s largest company. Millions of dollars invested in local charity by him and Centene. And when he asked local officials to do more to combat crime, he sent shockwaves across the area. Former Clayton Mayor Harold Sanger, who worked closely with Michael Neidorff while the corporation erected and later extended its offices in the city’s business area, termed him a “magnificent human being” and “vital” in Clayton’s success.
Who was Michael Neidorff?
Michael Neidorff grew raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1943. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree and St. Francis College in New York with a master’s degree. Family Hospital Physician Associates, which later became Centene, started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1984 as a nonprofit Medicaid plan called Family Hospital Physician Associates. In 1996, Michael Neidorff named president and CEO, and the company expanded into Indiana. It was renamed Centene Corp. the next year, and its headquarters were moved to St. Louis.
Netizens pay tribute on Twitter
This was supposed to be Michael Neidorff’s last year at Centene. He had been on a six-week medical leave of absence. He died on Thursday “after a long illness,” according to a statement from the firm. Michael McMillan, CEO of the Metropolitan St. Louis Urban League, said he had known Neidorff for nearly two decades. He stated, “There will never be another Michael Neidorff.” “He has played a critical role in some of the most important things we’ve done as an agency.” Neidorff assisted in the completion of the group’s local capital campaign for its Ferguson facility, which was erected on the site of the QuikTrip that burned down during the 2014 civil unrest. From 2014 until 2019, he was the chair of the National Urban League. He also co-chaired the campaign to bring the national conference to St. Louis in 2017, giving a $1 million donation to the cause.
We have lost a great leader & humanitarian. The world owes Michael Neidorff a debt of gratitude for everything he did for healthcare and the arts. Michael & his wife Noemi were the main reason Cindy & I chose to move to St. Louis. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. pic.twitter.com/GnBx0rq4g5
— Leonard Slatkin (@LeonardSlatkin) April 8, 2022Advertisement
#MichaelNeidorff was dynamic. He always spoke to me at events. A doer, he cared about our STL region. I disagreed with him once, but respected his views. He built @Centene out of political tenacity and good business practices. God doesn’t discriminate because of wealth. #RIP pic.twitter.com/XyyvpqgDnF
— Devil's Advocate📚💻 (@GentryTrotter) April 7, 2022
Words cannot express the sorrow that we are feeling here at the @ulstl upon the passing of our former @naturbanleague Chairman Michael F. Neidorff. He was a true champion of all of the values of the UL Movement & a tremendous ally, advocate and friend to the St. Louis community. pic.twitter.com/Wj2GWg8QW1
— Michael P. McMillan (@MMULSTL) April 7, 2022
We are saddened to learn of the passing of our #wishpartner and friend, Michael Neidorff. The support Mr. Neidorff and @Centene have generously given to our mission over the last seven years has been incredibly inspiring for us & we will deeply miss him.💙 pic.twitter.com/j3tPBtWY4G
— Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas (@MakeAWishMOKAN) April 8, 2022
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