Executive Director
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange
Type of Business: State agency in charge of administering health insurance marketplace
Based: Carson City, Nevada
Hails From: Pasadena, Maryland
Years Org. has been in Nevada: 09
Years with Organization in Nevada: 06
Employees with Organization: 26
What words do you live by?
To quote former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, “Good executives, like all good leaders, must expect opposition when making decisions or when making or enforcing the law. But executives must engage those that disagree with them.”
What career advice would you give to someone just starting in your industry?
The career advice I’d give to someone just starting in the health insurance marketplace industry is to be ready to constantly keep up with the ever-changing federal policies that affect Americans on a daily basis.
What is your favorite business book and what lessons have you gained from it?
“Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willinik. I think it’s important as an executive director to own the good, the bad and the ugly. While you’re leading a team, you’re ultimately responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and any subsequent successes or failures.
How do you motivate your team?
I have found that trusting your team and supporting them in decision making when they’ve put in the research and analysis to come to the correct conclusion is one of the best motivators. The team knowing I am there for them builds trust and motivation.
If you could teach a college course, what would you teach?
If I were going to teach a college course, I would teach “Intro to Health Insurance Policy”. A large reason people are uninsured is because they are unfamiliar where to start, so teaching a course on health insurance policy would help more people understand the nuances in order to make better decisions about their health needs.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“A Life Committed to Public Service”
What is the best moment of your career?
Becoming the executive director of the Exchange has by far been one of the best moments in my career. Knowing I have the faith and trust of our board to see my leadership potential and sincere commitment to this agency has been the utmost rewarding experience thus far in my career.
What do you hope future generations can learn from your professional journey?
I hope that future generations can learn that a life committed to public service is tremendously rewarding. State and local governments need smart, dedicated, well-educated, creative, opportunistic, and passionate professionals to provide the products and services people need in an efficient, technology-advanced, user-friendly yet budget conscious manner to improve the lives of citizens and increase their trust and reliance in all levels of government.
