I retired from Aetna, Inc. after a 47-year career in the health insurance industry, beginning as a sales representative and ending my career as Market President for the Pacific Northwest market. In that role I had the responsibility for 1.2 million members accounting for billions of dollars of claim payments. I represented the employers who entrusted us with their employee health plans, and oversaw contract negotiations with hospitals, medical groups, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers etc. over 13 western states. This experience provides me with a comprehensive understanding of health care business operations.

I have been a resident of Redmond for 22 years, and have seen the region evolve, along with its needs for health care. While EvergreenHealth has grown and expanded its services to support those needs there is still more work to be done. My entire family receives care through EvergreenHealth. Since retirement I have been serving as a volunteer on EvergreenHealth’s Planning Board. I know firsthand the challenges facing this extremely valuable community asset, as both a member of that board, and as a patient. I am personally invested in seeing responsible growth to support the continued growth and changing demographics.

In 2021, my alma mater, The Citadel, awarded me an honorary Doctor of Leadership and Ethics in Commerce degree, in acknowledgment of my “legacy of ethical leadership, sportsmanship, and service to his community.” As your hospital commissioner on the board of EvergreenHealth, I will offer the experiences of my 47-year health insurance career, my continued commitment to responsible growth and development, recognition of the importance of effective and ethical leadership, and continued advocacy for the EvergreenHealth system and its constituents.