Harvard Pilgrim CEO Resigns Suddenly, Citing 'Behavior'

WELLESLEY (CBS) – The head of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is resigning.

CEO and Board of Directors President Eric Schultz said in a letter released Tuesday that "I recently exhibited behavior that was inconsistent with my personal core values and the company's core values and code of conduct."

"I made mistakes and I'm truly sorry," Schultz writes.

Harvard Pilgrim is one of Massachusetts' biggest health insurance companies.

A letter from the board of directors did not elaborate on Schultz's decision to resign.

Schultz had been CEO since March of 2010, taking over soon after Charlie Baker left the position to run for governor.

His abrupt resignation comes a month after the company revealed it is in potential merger talks with Partners HealthCare - the state's largest network of doctors and hospitals.

In statements to WBZ, both Partners HealthCare and Harvard Pilgrim say that Tuesday's announcement will not impact those merger discussions.

Schultz will be replaced former Chief Business Growth Officer Michael Carson who joined the company last year.