The experience from working in his family’s medical oriented business while growing up in the Moon Township area has assisted in preparing Robert A. James to work at Highmark Health the past 13 months.
In October of 2015 he assumed the position as program manager for supplier diversity, at the national health and wellness organization that employs over 35,000 people and serves more than 50 million Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
As program manager for supplier diversity, James outlined his responsibilities as developing and executing strategies for supplier diversity initiatives that align with the vision and values of Highmark Health.
Elated to be in the position, he says, “Through our supplier diversity program we vigorously support diversity and inclusion in the workforce and the community. We foster an environment where openness, inclusiveness and supportiveness are extended to all. By attracting and retaining diverse suppliers we welcome individuals with new ideas, different experiences and fresh perspectives.
“Diverse suppliers help make us stronger more innovative as a business equipped to serve as many customers and communities in a more competitive market place. Our fundamental goal is to increase the levels of diverse spend on bids and services required by our enterprise by looking for a growing number of partnerships with individuals and businesses within the different communities that we serve. We are always looking to ensure that we have full and open competition.
“We call it inclusion as we strive to utilize our version of the Rooney Rule to insure inclusion of diverse suppliers on every solicitation that we release working the initiatives of the federal and local governments as well as corporate to promote business opportunities for minority owned, women owned, service disabled veteran owned businesses, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans gender businesses, hub zones, small businesses and other disadvantaged businesses.”
For his leadership and innovative initiative to open the doors of opportunity for diverse suppliers within Highmark Health, James was one of three people that recently received the Shining Star Award from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-sNJ during their Annual Awards Luncheon in Philadelphia.
“The Shining Star Award acknowledges woman business owners, individuals, companies, or government entities who have been instrumental in the successful development of the WBEC PA-DE-sNJ, and whose voluntary support of and commitment to supplier development initiatives have enhanced business opportunities for certified WBEs,” said Amy Holland WBEC Awards Chair during the presentation. The award is said to be the groups’ highest recognition.
Honored to receive the award, James says it was given in recognition for their commitment, leadership and support of women business enterprises throughout the year. “It is very encouraging as we have a lot of innovative ideas and initiatives that we want to implement in 2017.”
Harboring the philosophy of opening the doors of opportunity for women business enterprises, WBEC is defined as a purchasing council for certified women’s business enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey. It provides WBENC members certification as well as educational, networking, procurement-related, and informational programs and services that foster growth and business opportunities between WBEs and purchasing entities, including major corporations and government agencies.
During the presentation, it was mentioned that James is an advocate for WBENC certification, mentors to WBEs, and is always willing to assist WBEC in whatever way he and Highmark Health can. It was also pointed out that in 2015, Highmark Health with his leadership team hosted two key WBE outreach events in Pittsburgh and launched an initiative of diverse supplier engagement that offers monthly meetings to suppliers to meet with Highmark Health.
With a passion for providing diversity opportunities for small businesses, he credits his knowledge and understanding to the desires and needs of his family’s business to receive the chance to pitch their products and services to corporations to be recognized for having products to compete with everyone.
James is returning home after serving as an attorney for the federal government, advising on matters relating to the contracting of diverse suppliers and the recruitment of diverse talent. He also spent nearly eight years as the deputy general counsel for the finance agency of the District of Columbia government after beginning his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Donald E. Ziegler, former chief judge for the western district of Pennsylvania
Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark Health is considered as the third largest integrated delivery health care and financing network in the nation, with distinct businesses in health insurance, health care delivery, managed vision care, retail eyewear and eye care services, eyewear manufacturing, dental solutions, health risk solutions and innovative technology-based solutions. Its mission is to operate as an interdependent system designed to deliver high quality, accessible, understandable and affordable experiences, outcomes and solutions for our customers.
Pleased with James’s success and the direction he is taking the supplier diversity program, Gary Foster, Vice President of Procurement says, “At Highmark Health, we are constantly searching for suppliers who can provide us the best combination of price, quality and service. We are committed to increasing our contacts with diverse suppliers through our multiple activities, events and partnerships to help us identify potential business relationships. We value our diverse suppliers and their ability to bring new ideas and alternative solutions for our business needs that improve our ability to serve our many customers and communities.”
To receive information on Highmark Health’s supplier diversity program and services provided by the company and its affiliates James highly suggests visiting the corporation website at http://www.highmarkhealth.org.
Date: November 27, 2016