Board of Managers
Executive Leadership Team
Ross Perot, Jr. serves as Chairman of The Perot Group, which manages the various Perot family interests that include real estate, oil and gas and financial investments.
In addition, Mr. Perot is Chairman of Hillwood, which he founded in 1988. Hillwood is ranked among the top ten real estate developers in the United States and is recognized for its high-profile projects and public-private ventures. Hillwood Energy has natural gas and oil interests not only in the United States but worldwide.
Mr. Perot is a Founder of Perot Systems Corporation and served on its Board of Directors beginning in 1988. He served as CEO of Perot Systems from 2000 - 2004 and served as Chairman of the Board from 2004 until the company was acquired by Dell Inc. in 2009. During his tenure on the Board, Perot Systems grew to be a multi-billion-dollar global technology company with more than 24,000 associates in North America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Perot served on the Dell Inc. Board of Directors from 2009 - 2013.
A native of Dallas, Mr. Perot graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in 1977 and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University in 1981.
In 1982, after graduating from Vanderbilt University, he completed the first helicopter flight around the world. The 26,000-mile trip was completed in less than thirty days, crossing twenty-six countries and seventeen seas and oceans. His helicopter, The Spirit of Texas, is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
After joining the United States Air Force in 1983, Perot earned a certification as an F-4 pilot and served for 8 1/2 years. Perot then served as chairman of the Air Force Memorial Foundation where he led a 14-year effort to build the United States Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the men and women of the United States Air Force. The Memorial was dedicated to the nation in October 2006.
Mr. Perot currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the EastWest Institute, serves on the board of Vanderbilt University, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, St. Mark's School of Texas and GuidelT.
Ross Perot, Jr. serves as Chairman of The Perot Group, which manages the various Perot family interests that include real estate, oil and gas and financial investments.
In addition, Mr. Perot is Chairman of Hillwood, which he founded in 1988. Hillwood is ranked among the top ten real estate developers in the United States and is recognized for its high-profile projects and public-private ventures. Hillwood Energy has natural gas and oil interests not only in the United States but worldwide.
Mr. Perot is a Founder of Perot Systems Corporation and served on its Board of Directors beginning in 1988. He served as CEO of Perot Systems from 2000 - 2004 and served as Chairman of the Board from 2004 until the company was acquired by Dell Inc. in 2009. During his tenure on the Board, Perot Systems grew to be a multi-billion-dollar global technology company with more than 24,000 associates in North America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Perot served on the Dell Inc. Board of Directors from 2009 - 2013.
A native of Dallas, Mr. Perot graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in 1977 and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University in 1981.
In 1982, after graduating from Vanderbilt University, he completed the first helicopter flight around the world. The 26,000-mile trip was completed in less than thirty days, crossing twenty-six countries and seventeen seas and oceans. His helicopter, The Spirit of Texas, is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
After joining the United States Air Force in 1983, Perot earned a certification as an F-4 pilot and served for 8 1/2 years. Perot then served as chairman of the Air Force Memorial Foundation where he led a 14-year effort to build the United States Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the men and women of the United States Air Force. The Memorial was dedicated to the nation in October 2006.
Mr. Perot currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the EastWest Institute, serves on the board of Vanderbilt University, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, St. Mark's School of Texas and GuidelT.
Russell, co-founder and board member of GuideIT, has more than twenty-five years of operational, financial management and business development experience, twenty of which were with Perot Systems Corporation. He served as Chief Operating Officer of Perot Systems from 2007 – 2009 focusing on execution of company-wide strategic and operational objectives.
Prior to this role, he served as Chief Financial Officer for seven years. He was the main interface to the investment community, oversaw mergers and acquisitions activities and was responsible for the corporation's planning, accounting and treasury functions. He previously served as Corporate Controller and was a member of the leadership teams for several of the company’s operating units.
Prior to joining Perot Systems in 1989, he worked for Arthur Young & Company.
Russell is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for The Perot Group and is also a board member for HKN Energy, Ltd, which has oil operations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the board, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Petrus Trust Company, which is the trustee for all major Perot family trusts.
Russell previously received his certificate as a certified public accountant (currently inactive). He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Texas Tech University.
Russell, co-founder and board member of GuideIT, has more than twenty-five years of operational, financial management and business development experience, twenty of which were with Perot Systems Corporation. He served as Chief Operating Officer of Perot Systems from 2007 – 2009 focusing on execution of company-wide strategic and operational objectives.
Prior to this role, he served as Chief Financial Officer for seven years. He was the main interface to the investment community, oversaw mergers and acquisitions activities and was responsible for the corporation's planning, accounting and treasury functions. He previously served as Corporate Controller and was a member of the leadership teams for several of the company’s operating units.
Prior to joining Perot Systems in 1989, he worked for Arthur Young & Company.
Russell is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for The Perot Group and is also a board member for HKN Energy, Ltd, which has oil operations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the board, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Petrus Trust Company, which is the trustee for all major Perot family trusts.
Russell previously received his certificate as a certified public accountant (currently inactive). He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Texas Tech University.
Chuck has more than thirty years of experience in business development and operations management spending time with EDS, Perot Systems and Dell. As Vice President of Public Sector Services for Dell, Chuck focused on business expansion of the combined Dell and Perot Systems capabilities with the design, implementation and operations solving business issues facing Healthcare, Federal Government and Education organizations globally.
Prior to Dell, Chuck spent more than twenty years at Perot Systems as a member of the Healthcare organization and President of the organization for ten years. As President, Chuck helped lead the organization in rapid expansion to become recognized as the Worldwide leader of technology and business solutions. This was accomplished by adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions, expanding the company’s end-to-end solution portfolio and focusing on strategic domain and industry experience into North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Chuck is involved with Healthcare organizations including being a Board Member at Lightbeam Health Solutions and also Dallas Forth Worth Hospital Council Foundation. Previously served on the Advisory Board of University of Texas at Arlington Nursing school.
Chuck has more than thirty years of experience in business development and operations management spending time with EDS, Perot Systems and Dell. As Vice President of Public Sector Services for Dell, Chuck focused on business expansion of the combined Dell and Perot Systems capabilities with the design, implementation and operations solving business issues facing Healthcare, Federal Government and Education organizations globally.
Prior to Dell, Chuck spent more than twenty years at Perot Systems as a member of the Healthcare organization and President of the organization for ten years. As President, Chuck helped lead the organization in rapid expansion to become recognized as the Worldwide leader of technology and business solutions. This was accomplished by adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions, expanding the company’s end-to-end solution portfolio and focusing on strategic domain and industry experience into North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Chuck is involved with Healthcare organizations including being a Board Member at Lightbeam Health Solutions and also Dallas Forth Worth Hospital Council Foundation. Previously served on the Advisory Board of University of Texas at Arlington Nursing school.
Connect with Chuck Lyles 
Chuck has more than thirty years of experience in business development and operations management spending time with EDS, Perot Systems and Dell. As Vice President of Public Sector Services for Dell, Chuck focused on business expansion of the combined Dell and Perot Systems capabilities with the design, implementation and operations solving business issues facing Healthcare, Federal Government and Education organizations globally.
Prior to Dell, Chuck spent more than twenty years at Perot Systems as a member of the Healthcare organization and President of the organization for ten years. As President, Chuck helped lead the organization in rapid expansion to become recognized as the Worldwide leader of technology and business solutions. This was accomplished by adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions, expanding the company’s end-to-end solution portfolio and focusing on strategic domain and industry experience into North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Chuck is involved with Healthcare organizations including being a Board Member at Lightbeam Health Solutions and also Dallas Forth Worth Hospital Council Foundation. Previously served on the Advisory Board of University of Texas at Arlington Nursing school.
Connect with Chuck Lyles Chuck has more than thirty years of experience in business development and operations management spending time with EDS, Perot Systems and Dell. As Vice President of Public Sector Services for Dell, Chuck focused on business expansion of the combined Dell and Perot Systems capabilities with the design, implementation and operations solving business issues facing Healthcare, Federal Government and Education organizations globally.
Prior to Dell, Chuck spent more than twenty years at Perot Systems as a member of the Healthcare organization and President of the organization for ten years. As President, Chuck helped lead the organization in rapid expansion to become recognized as the Worldwide leader of technology and business solutions. This was accomplished by adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions, expanding the company’s end-to-end solution portfolio and focusing on strategic domain and industry experience into North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Chuck is involved with Healthcare organizations including being a Board Member at Lightbeam Health Solutions and also Dallas Forth Worth Hospital Council Foundation. Previously served on the Advisory Board of University of Texas at Arlington Nursing school.
Connect with Bob KellyBob Kelly has more than twenty years of experience leading finance teams in entrepreneurial companies through growth, acquisitions, integrations and carve-outs, with extensive experience in the IT Services sector at Perot Systems, Dell and McAfee. Prior to joining GuideIT, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for GDT, where he streamlined and automated financial processes to ensure customers’ needs were met while improving cash flows to invest into expansion of the business, including the company's first acquisition that significantly expanded its managed services capabilities.
Previously, Bob held various finance leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer at Bioworld Merchandising, Corporate Controller at American Express Global Business Travel, Chief Accounting Officer at McAfee, Controller at Dell Services, and Chief Accounting Officer at Perot Systems. He is a proven finance leader who transforms processes, systems and teams to create a scalable financial platform that enables data-driven decisions to drive strategic growth.
Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and is a certified public accountant in the state of Texas.
Connect with Bob KellyBob Kelly has more than twenty years of experience leading finance teams in entrepreneurial companies through growth, acquisitions, integrations and carve-outs, with extensive experience in the IT Services sector at Perot Systems, Dell and McAfee. Prior to joining GuideIT, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for GDT, where he streamlined and automated financial processes to ensure customers’ needs were met while improving cash flows to invest into expansion of the business, including the company's first acquisition that significantly expanded its managed services capabilities.
Previously, Bob held various finance leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer at Bioworld Merchandising, Corporate Controller at American Express Global Business Travel, Chief Accounting Officer at McAfee, Controller at Dell Services, and Chief Accounting Officer at Perot Systems. He is a proven finance leader who transforms processes, systems and teams to create a scalable financial platform that enables data-driven decisions to drive strategic growth.
Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and is a certified public accountant in the state of Texas.
Connect with Jeff Smith Jeff successfully built his career working at Dell, formerly Perot Systems, for twenty-two years. During his tenure there, he served as Director of Infrastructure, Director of Business Development and Corporate Sales and finally as Executive Director of Healthcare Business Development. Jeff was responsible for IT Outsourcing, BPO and Healthcare Consulting Services. His team created multiple offerings, including a Hosted Clinical DR Environment, Clinical Service Desk and HIS Infrastructure architecture and design offering. His business development and leadership skills lead to growth that helped Dell’s Healthcare Vertical become one of the top HIT firms in the industry. Prior to joining Perot Systems, Jeff spent nine years at EDS in various technical and delivery roles.
Jeff earned an Associate degree from Richland College in Texas and was named Dell’s 2006 and 2007 Healthcare Business Development Leader of the Year and 2009’s Healthcare Sales Leader of the Year. Jeff joined EDS as an intern while still in High School and attended EDS IT development programs.
Connect with Jeff Smith Jeff successfully built his career working at Dell, formerly Perot Systems, for twenty-two years. During his tenure there, he served as Director of Infrastructure, Director of Business Development and Corporate Sales and finally as Executive Director of Healthcare Business Development. Jeff was responsible for IT Outsourcing, BPO and Healthcare Consulting Services. His team created multiple offerings, including a Hosted Clinical DR Environment, Clinical Service Desk and HIS Infrastructure architecture and design offering. His business development and leadership skills lead to growth that helped Dell’s Healthcare Vertical become one of the top HIT firms in the industry. Prior to joining Perot Systems, Jeff spent nine years at EDS in various technical and delivery roles.
Jeff earned an Associate degree from Richland College in Texas and was named Dell’s 2006 and 2007 Healthcare Business Development Leader of the Year and 2009’s Healthcare Sales Leader of the Year. Jeff joined EDS as an intern while still in High School and attended EDS IT development programs.
Connect with Rex MillsRex Mills has over eighteen years of experience in the information technology services industry with Dell and Perot Systems. As a member of the Dell Legal Department, Rex led the legal team supporting Dell Services’ major commercial transactions. As an Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Perot Systems, Rex advised Perot Systems on securities law, corporate governance and general corporate matters, served as secretary of Board and of the Audit and Human Resources and Compensation Committee meetings, led the legal support of the Corporate Development Team and oversaw a team of contract negotiators supporting information technology and business process outsourcing transactions.
Before joining Perot Systems, Rex was an Assistant General Counsel at the Prudential Insurance Company of America, where he supported the Prudential Capital Group, a unit investing in privately placed securities. Rex began his career as a corporate and securities lawyer at Thompson & Knight in Dallas.
Rex earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law.
Connect with Rex MillsRex Mills has over eighteen years of experience in the information technology services industry with Dell and Perot Systems. As a member of the Dell Legal Department, Rex led the legal team supporting Dell Services’ major commercial transactions. As an Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Perot Systems, Rex advised Perot Systems on securities law, corporate governance and general corporate matters, served as secretary of Board and of the Audit and Human Resources and Compensation Committee meetings, led the legal support of the Corporate Development Team and oversaw a team of contract negotiators supporting information technology and business process outsourcing transactions.
Before joining Perot Systems, Rex was an Assistant General Counsel at the Prudential Insurance Company of America, where he supported the Prudential Capital Group, a unit investing in privately placed securities. Rex began his career as a corporate and securities lawyer at Thompson & Knight in Dallas.
Rex earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law.
Connect with Matt BolognaMatt’s career in technology services and solution development of more than 20 years is noted for effectively outlining business needs and creating a strategic plan and roadmap to address those needs despite a steep learning curve all the while emerging as a subject matter expert. Prior to joining GuideIT Matt ran the pre-sales and engineering team at Atos for 3 years where his team was responsible for over $3B in annual new signings. In addition the team supported development of new offerings across the company and he participated as a member of the Atos Scientific Community to help drive overall strategic direction for the company.
Matt began his career at Affiliated Computer Services as an Engineer. Matt studied at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN and holds a Bachelor of Science in IT Management as well as Economics and Finance.
Connect with Matt BolognaMatt’s career in technology services and solution development of more than 20 years is noted for effectively outlining business needs and creating a strategic plan and roadmap to address those needs despite a steep learning curve all the while emerging as a subject matter expert. Prior to joining GuideIT Matt ran the pre-sales and engineering team at Atos for 3 years where his team was responsible for over $3B in annual new signings. In addition the team supported development of new offerings across the company and he participated as a member of the Atos Scientific Community to help drive overall strategic direction for the company.
Matt began his career at Affiliated Computer Services as an Engineer. Matt studied at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN and holds a Bachelor of Science in IT Management as well as Economics and Finance.
Connect with Amanda Imperial Amanda Imperial is a proven HR leader who has acquired a diverse set of skills through her experience with technology driven companies in IT Services, E-Commerce, Professional Services, and Software Development.
Prior to joining GuideIT, she served as the leader of the Human Resources team at GDT, where she leveraged technological advancements in the human capital management space to consolidate and streamline people and operational processes. Her passion for technology reflects in her HR strategy. With digital transformation as a focus, she fosters the company culture to develop a workforce of highly engaged and productive teams that are dedicated to GuideIT's philosophies and values.
Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University.
Connect with Amanda Imperial Amanda Imperial is a proven HR leader who has acquired a diverse set of skills through her experience with technology driven companies in IT Services, E-Commerce, Professional Services, and Software Development.
Prior to joining GuideIT, she served as the leader of the Human Resources team at GDT, where she leveraged technological advancements in the human capital management space to consolidate and streamline people and operational processes. Her passion for technology reflects in her HR strategy. With digital transformation as a focus, she fosters the company culture to develop a workforce of highly engaged and productive teams that are dedicated to GuideIT's philosophies and values.
Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University.
Connect with Nicole Woods Nicole is an experienced and passionate leader with over 3 decades of her career in designing, building and leading multiple organizations. Nicole began her IT career with Perot Systems in 1998 and transitioned with both Dell & NTT Data Services before joining GuideIT in 2018. With expertise in both Healthcare and Commercial sectors, she has a proven track record in driving results with focus on development, standardization, and delivery within Digital Workflow, Service Management Solutions, Customer Delivery Operations and Application Support excellence.
Connect with Nicole Woods Nicole is an experienced and passionate leader with over 3 decades of her career in designing, building and leading multiple organizations. Nicole began her IT career with Perot Systems in 1998 and transitioned with both Dell & NTT Data Services before joining GuideIT in 2018. With expertise in both Healthcare and Commercial sectors, she has a proven track record in driving results with focus on development, standardization, and delivery within Digital Workflow, Service Management Solutions, Customer Delivery Operations and Application Support excellence.
Connect with Tony Long Tony has over 20 years of diverse experience in designing, delivering, and managing IT infrastructure solutions, including servers, network, storage, messaging as well as highly redundant hybrid and private cloud environments. He demonstrates the unique talent to lead and inspire organizations with diverse technical skill sets to create solutions and optimize infrastructure capabilities. Prior to coming to GuideIT, he led cross functional team activities to develop infrastructure solutions for major fortune 500 customers and government agencies while at Dell and Perot Systems. Currently Tony leads our Leveraged Engineer Team and IT Operations which run the day to day technical operations for many of our customers and is the Client Executive / CIO for one of our customer as well.
Joe Boyd has more than thirty-five years of information technology experience. Joe began his IT career with Electronic Data Systems in the State and Local Government Healthcare Group. After leaving EDS, he worked in the healthcare practices of KPMG Peat Marwick and GTE before joining Perot Systems in 1990.
At Perot Systems, Joe progressed through a variety of positions and was named Vice President and General Manager for the Healthcare Industry practice in 1994. From 1994 – 1997, he grew the Healthcare business from $22 million to over $100 million in annual revenues. In 1997, Joe was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager for Perot Systems North American sales and operations, directing over 4,000 employees in a $600 million business that included seven industry verticals. Joe retired from Perot Systems in 2001 but has continued to be involved in the industry providing management consulting and executive coaching services through his own firm, Boyd Consulting.
Since leaving Perot Systems, Joe has served as the Chairman of three different successful companies. He was the Chairman of Healthlink Inc. from 2003 until it was sold to IBM in June 2005. He was the Chairman of Encore Health Resources – a fast-growing clinical consulting and Informatics Company based in Houston, TX from 2011 until it was sold to Quintiles Transnational in June 2014. He was also the Chairman of MedSynergies Inc. – a fast-growing Physician Alignment and RCM company based in Irving, TX from 2005 until it was sold to Optum in October 2014. Joe also served as a director at OnFocus|Healthcare from 2008 until it was sold to MedeAnalytics in November 2014 and was an advisor to 2M Biotech from 2014 until it was sold to UT Southwestern in January 2017.
Joe is also a former director and will be a life-long supporter of the Dallas-based non-profit, MediSend International.
Joe holds a B.A. in History and an M.B.A. from Mississippi State University
Joe Boyd has more than thirty-five years of information technology experience. Joe began his IT career with Electronic Data Systems in the State and Local Government Healthcare Group. After leaving EDS, he worked in the healthcare practices of KPMG Peat Marwick and GTE before joining Perot Systems in 1990.
At Perot Systems, Joe progressed through a variety of positions and was named Vice President and General Manager for the Healthcare Industry practice in 1994. From 1994 – 1997, he grew the Healthcare business from $22 million to over $100 million in annual revenues. In 1997, Joe was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager for Perot Systems North American sales and operations, directing over 4,000 employees in a $600 million business that included seven industry verticals. Joe retired from Perot Systems in 2001 but has continued to be involved in the industry providing management consulting and executive coaching services through his own firm, Boyd Consulting.
Since leaving Perot Systems, Joe has served as the Chairman of three different successful companies. He was the Chairman of Healthlink Inc. from 2003 until it was sold to IBM in June 2005. He was the Chairman of Encore Health Resources – a fast-growing clinical consulting and Informatics Company based in Houston, TX from 2011 until it was sold to Quintiles Transnational in June 2014. He was also the Chairman of MedSynergies Inc. – a fast-growing Physician Alignment and RCM company based in Irving, TX from 2005 until it was sold to Optum in October 2014. Joe also served as a director at OnFocus|Healthcare from 2008 until it was sold to MedeAnalytics in November 2014 and was an advisor to 2M Biotech from 2014 until it was sold to UT Southwestern in January 2017.
Joe is also a former director and will be a life-long supporter of the Dallas-based non-profit, MediSend International.
Joe holds a B.A. in History and an M.B.A. from Mississippi State University
Jamie Dye has more than 30 years’ experience in accelerating performance for healthcare services organizations. As the Chief Development Officer for Cedar Gate, a value-based care software and services performance management company, Jamie is responsible for strategic business development and marketing.
Prior to Cedar Gate, Jamie served as the Chief Development Officer for Global Healthcare Alliance (GHA), the bundled payment solutions provider acquired by Cedar Gate in late 2018. Prior to GHA, Jamie was Chief Development Officer for MedSynergies (now Optum360 Ambulatory Services), a for-profit ambulatory services company focused on improving physician enterprise performance. MedSynergies grew its business from a local to national healthcare services provider, resulting in the company’s strategic acquisition by Optum in 2014.
Jamie’s prior experience also includes a 20-year tenure with Perot Systems helping to build the organization into a multi-billion-dollar market leader in healthcare services. Jamie received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his master’s degree in health law from Nova Southeastern University.
Jamie Dye has more than 30 years’ experience in accelerating performance for healthcare services organizations. As the Chief Development Officer for Cedar Gate, a value-based care software and services performance management company, Jamie is responsible for strategic business development and marketing.
Prior to Cedar Gate, Jamie served as the Chief Development Officer for Global Healthcare Alliance (GHA), the bundled payment solutions provider acquired by Cedar Gate in late 2018. Prior to GHA, Jamie was Chief Development Officer for MedSynergies (now Optum360 Ambulatory Services), a for-profit ambulatory services company focused on improving physician enterprise performance. MedSynergies grew its business from a local to national healthcare services provider, resulting in the company’s strategic acquisition by Optum in 2014.
Jamie’s prior experience also includes a 20-year tenure with Perot Systems helping to build the organization into a multi-billion-dollar market leader in healthcare services. Jamie received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his master’s degree in health law from Nova Southeastern University.
Bill Lamoreaux has been an executive officer for both leading for-profit and not-for-profit health plans. He’s demonstrated leadership in P/L, health care delivery, large-scale operations and change management. His accomplishments include implementing innovative technology and administrative cost containment approaches, developing care coordination models that benefit both payor and provider, establishing retail health care models, turning around poor performing assets and leading commercial and government program P/L's.
Bill Lamoreaux has been an executive officer for both leading for-profit and not-for-profit health plans. He’s demonstrated leadership in P/L, health care delivery, large-scale operations and change management. His accomplishments include implementing innovative technology and administrative cost containment approaches, developing care coordination models that benefit both payor and provider, establishing retail health care models, turning around poor performing assets and leading commercial and government program P/L's.
Darin’s 29-year career has been spent entirely in the U.S. healthcare industry, with depth and breadth across multiple segments within the market. He has successfully led national and global technology and business process organizations, spanning Fortune 500 healthcare divisions to second-stage growth organizations and start- up software companies. He has also worked closely with various private equity firms on healthcare technology investing as an operating partner and advisor.
Capitalizing on the ever-changing healthcare market over the last 20 years, Darin has passionately driven growth in each phase of his career by addressing the clinical and financial needs of hospitals and other provider organizations, national and regional health plans, and pharmaceutical/life science organizations. This has been done through services, products, and consulting capabilities that help clients reduce cost, increase access, improve outcomes, and engage consumers.
Darin’s most recent leadership role took him back to the global, Fortune 500 world, as the North America leader for healthcare at Atos. During his short tenure there, Darin successfully organized the unit around payer, provider and pharma/life sciences sub-markets, re-built the senior leadership team, revamped the client delivery model, established a true go-to-market sales and marketing function, and established strong client relationships helping drive growth. In the first year, the division exceeded growth targets and established a go-forward revenue projection with greater than 20% growth for 2018. During this time, Darin and Atos also completed three acquisitions simultaneously, adding significant capability in the consulting areas of EHR implementation, optimization and adoption, as well as population health and financial services.
Darin launched his career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in the late 1980s, focusing on the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans across the country; this included managing large, multi-functional, complex projects, as well as full IT outsourcing contracts. The pinnacle of this period was the successful implementation of the largest IT outsourcing contract in the industry at that time, including a complete implementation of claims, membership and all ancillary applications in a nine-month period for BCBS Massachusetts.
Subsequent to EDS, Darin formed, built and managed the healthcare division at Affiliated Computer Systems (ACS). Taking over as the President of ACS Healthcare Solutions, and with a handful of clients, he successfully established a divisional infrastructure poised for growth in the payer, provider and pharma/life sciences industries. This included a new client services model, full sales and marketing capability, partnerships with multiple high-value companies to accelerate penetration in each sub-market, and the acquisition of multiple strategic assets, increasing market footprint and operational capability for the division.
Leaving the corporate world, Darin spent the next 14 years as the President and CEO of two private equity backed organizations, and one founder-owned entity, successfully growing each of these organizations exponentially. Each of these companies were ultimately sold to strategic buyers in their respective markets. The companies spanned most aspects of the healthcare ecosystem, including Xactimed, a commercial software solution focused on the revenue cycle needs of hospitals and other provider groups, Phoenix Health Systems, a full-scale IT outsourcing, consulting and EHR implementation company focused on hospitals and payers, and Aldera, a claims processing software solution focused on all lines of business for health plans and other risk-bearing entities.
Darin’s 29-year career has been spent entirely in the U.S. healthcare industry, with depth and breadth across multiple segments within the market. He has successfully led national and global technology and business process organizations, spanning Fortune 500 healthcare divisions to second-stage growth organizations and start- up software companies. He has also worked closely with various private equity firms on healthcare technology investing as an operating partner and advisor.
Capitalizing on the ever-changing healthcare market over the last 20 years, Darin has passionately driven growth in each phase of his career by addressing the clinical and financial needs of hospitals and other provider organizations, national and regional health plans, and pharmaceutical/life science organizations. This has been done through services, products, and consulting capabilities that help clients reduce cost, increase access, improve outcomes, and engage consumers.
Darin’s most recent leadership role took him back to the global, Fortune 500 world, as the North America leader for healthcare at Atos. During his short tenure there, Darin successfully organized the unit around payer, provider and pharma/life sciences sub-markets, re-built the senior leadership team, revamped the client delivery model, established a true go-to-market sales and marketing function, and established strong client relationships helping drive growth. In the first year, the division exceeded growth targets and established a go-forward revenue projection with greater than 20% growth for 2018. During this time, Darin and Atos also completed three acquisitions simultaneously, adding significant capability in the consulting areas of EHR implementation, optimization and adoption, as well as population health and financial services.
Darin launched his career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in the late 1980s, focusing on the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans across the country; this included managing large, multi-functional, complex projects, as well as full IT outsourcing contracts. The pinnacle of this period was the successful implementation of the largest IT outsourcing contract in the industry at that time, including a complete implementation of claims, membership and all ancillary applications in a nine-month period for BCBS Massachusetts.
Subsequent to EDS, Darin formed, built and managed the healthcare division at Affiliated Computer Systems (ACS). Taking over as the President of ACS Healthcare Solutions, and with a handful of clients, he successfully established a divisional infrastructure poised for growth in the payer, provider and pharma/life sciences industries. This included a new client services model, full sales and marketing capability, partnerships with multiple high-value companies to accelerate penetration in each sub-market, and the acquisition of multiple strategic assets, increasing market footprint and operational capability for the division.
Leaving the corporate world, Darin spent the next 14 years as the President and CEO of two private equity backed organizations, and one founder-owned entity, successfully growing each of these organizations exponentially. Each of these companies were ultimately sold to strategic buyers in their respective markets. The companies spanned most aspects of the healthcare ecosystem, including Xactimed, a commercial software solution focused on the revenue cycle needs of hospitals and other provider groups, Phoenix Health Systems, a full-scale IT outsourcing, consulting and EHR implementation company focused on hospitals and payers, and Aldera, a claims processing software solution focused on all lines of business for health plans and other risk-bearing entities.
J.R. Thomas serves as Chief Executive Officer of Optum Physician Services, formerly MedSynergies, Inc., a national healthcare service company based in Dallas, Texas. J.R. has served over twenty years as a founding executive of MedSynergies since its inception in 1996. He served as Chief Financial Officer in 1996 prior to being promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a member of the board of directors in 1999. The company was acquired by Optum, a division of United Health Group, Inc., a Fortune twenty company in fall 2014.
During his tenure at MedSynergies, the company has grown from a vision to over $200 million in annual revenues, over a 30% EBITDA margin and contracted backlog approaching $2 billion. The company grew from concept to over 1,100 employees operating in four national operational centers, not including the global operations capability that was designed to meet the rapid growth of the company. Over the years, the company navigated various business model services, new technology platforms, various acquisition integrations of third party companies, as well as the formation of joint ventures with large health systems in the ambulatory space. This high growth rate required the company to acquire various commercial banking relationships, as well as negotiate significant internal and external capital structures to fund its growth in addition to internal operating cash flow. With the sale in the fall of 2014, the return to the company’s shareholders was in excess of ten times invested capital. As of March 2017, J.R. is a Partner in Thomas Marshall Group, LLC, a strategic and operational advisory firm.
In 2012, J.R. was selected as the Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southwest Region and national finalist for Ernst & Young LLC. He serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of the Dallas County Community College Foundation, which supports the educational endeavors of the largest post-secondary educational system in the State of Texas with over 100,000 students. He is an active member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a select organization of executive leaders who bring business solutions to the Pentagon’s challenges. He is an advisor to Allies in Service, a privately funded veteran hiring initiative in Dallas. He recently won The America’s Future Series’ Five Star Award for his corporate leadership in the recruiting and employment of military veterans. In 1992, J.R. was a founding member of Camp MaGIc, Inc., the predecessor of Camp Oasis, a national camping experience for children challenged by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Over a ten-year period, he lead the fundraising efforts, as well as operational structure to provide a unique camping experience for over 1,000 youth affected by IBD during that time. Today, Camp Oasis is sponsored by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America using the foundation of Camp MaGIc annually serving over 1,500 patients across the country. J.R. was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1986.
Over his career, J.R. has been recognized by numerous organizations for his leadership and corporate success in the healthcare field. He has lectured on diverse healthcare topics at various industry meetings including MGMA, AMGA, HFMA and Becker’s Healthcare conference. He has authored and contributed to over twelve published articles and white papers. J.R. is an honors graduate with a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in 1990. At the McCombs School, he led the reinstitution of a formal graduation ceremony and chaired the Distinguished Lecture Series. In addition to his studies, he also worked as a graduate assistant in macroeconomics, as well as an assistant to the Faculty Committee on University Committees.
J.R. holds a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from the University of Arkansas in 1986 where he received numerous academic and leadership honors. He served as President of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and was elected in 1985 to its National Board of Directors as one of three undergraduates across the country.
Prior to joining MedSynergies, J.R held corporate finance bank officer positions at Bank One, Texas as well as Texas Commerce Bank, a regional bank owned by Chemical Bank and now part of JPMorgan Chase Bank. His entry into the healthcare field began at Chemical Bank by financing a venture-backed physician practice management company in 1992 that continues to this day. He joined Bank One to lead and develop a corporate finance practice for emerging healthcare markets where all new loan commitments totaled over $300 million in eighteen months. J.R. left Bank One to form MedSynergies in 1996. He started his business career after graduation from the University of Arkansas as the assistant to the president of a private state charted bank’s mortgage division, Twin City Mortgage in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a graduate of Catholic School for Boys in Little Rock, where he was an honors student and served as captain of the football team.
J.R. is an Arkansas native and spent his formative years on the family hay and cattle farm. J.R. and his wife, Natalie, and their two daughters make their home in Dallas, Texas.
J.R. Thomas serves as Chief Executive Officer of Optum Physician Services, formerly MedSynergies, Inc., a national healthcare service company based in Dallas, Texas. J.R. has served over twenty years as a founding executive of MedSynergies since its inception in 1996. He served as Chief Financial Officer in 1996 prior to being promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a member of the board of directors in 1999. The company was acquired by Optum, a division of United Health Group, Inc., a Fortune twenty company in fall 2014.
During his tenure at MedSynergies, the company has grown from a vision to over $200 million in annual revenues, over a 30% EBITDA margin and contracted backlog approaching $2 billion. The company grew from concept to over 1,100 employees operating in four national operational centers, not including the global operations capability that was designed to meet the rapid growth of the company. Over the years, the company navigated various business model services, new technology platforms, various acquisition integrations of third party companies, as well as the formation of joint ventures with large health systems in the ambulatory space. This high growth rate required the company to acquire various commercial banking relationships, as well as negotiate significant internal and external capital structures to fund its growth in addition to internal operating cash flow. With the sale in the fall of 2014, the return to the company’s shareholders was in excess of ten times invested capital. As of March 2017, J.R. is a Partner in Thomas Marshall Group, LLC, a strategic and operational advisory firm.
In 2012, J.R. was selected as the Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southwest Region and national finalist for Ernst & Young LLC. He serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of the Dallas County Community College Foundation, which supports the educational endeavors of the largest post-secondary educational system in the State of Texas with over 100,000 students. He is an active member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a select organization of executive leaders who bring business solutions to the Pentagon’s challenges. He is an advisor to Allies in Service, a privately funded veteran hiring initiative in Dallas. He recently won The America’s Future Series’ Five Star Award for his corporate leadership in the recruiting and employment of military veterans. In 1992, J.R. was a founding member of Camp MaGIc, Inc., the predecessor of Camp Oasis, a national camping experience for children challenged by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Over a ten-year period, he lead the fundraising efforts, as well as operational structure to provide a unique camping experience for over 1,000 youth affected by IBD during that time. Today, Camp Oasis is sponsored by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America using the foundation of Camp MaGIc annually serving over 1,500 patients across the country. J.R. was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1986.
Over his career, J.R. has been recognized by numerous organizations for his leadership and corporate success in the healthcare field. He has lectured on diverse healthcare topics at various industry meetings including MGMA, AMGA, HFMA and Becker’s Healthcare conference. He has authored and contributed to over twelve published articles and white papers. J.R. is an honors graduate with a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in 1990. At the McCombs School, he led the reinstitution of a formal graduation ceremony and chaired the Distinguished Lecture Series. In addition to his studies, he also worked as a graduate assistant in macroeconomics, as well as an assistant to the Faculty Committee on University Committees.
J.R. holds a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from the University of Arkansas in 1986 where he received numerous academic and leadership honors. He served as President of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and was elected in 1985 to its National Board of Directors as one of three undergraduates across the country.
Prior to joining MedSynergies, J.R held corporate finance bank officer positions at Bank One, Texas as well as Texas Commerce Bank, a regional bank owned by Chemical Bank and now part of JPMorgan Chase Bank. His entry into the healthcare field began at Chemical Bank by financing a venture-backed physician practice management company in 1992 that continues to this day. He joined Bank One to lead and develop a corporate finance practice for emerging healthcare markets where all new loan commitments totaled over $300 million in eighteen months. J.R. left Bank One to form MedSynergies in 1996. He started his business career after graduation from the University of Arkansas as the assistant to the president of a private state charted bank’s mortgage division, Twin City Mortgage in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a graduate of Catholic School for Boys in Little Rock, where he was an honors student and served as captain of the football team.
J.R. is an Arkansas native and spent his formative years on the family hay and cattle farm. J.R. and his wife, Natalie, and their two daughters make their home in Dallas, Texas.
