Tom Fluegel has been named COO of the Washington-based National Committee for Quality Assurance, effective Dec. 4. Fluegel succeeds Esther Emard, who is retiring after holding the post since 1999.

Fluegel, 46, previously served as COO of dental insurance operations for Coventry Health Care, Bethesda, Md., a role he assumed in 2008. Prior to that, he held several leadership positions with UnitedHealth Group, including chief information officer and senior VP of client operations.

In a news release, NCQA President Margaret O'Kane praised Fluegel's experience in health information technology and business development, adding that his background “will be a terrific asset for NCQA.”