Kara Trott
CEO
Quantum Health
CEO Kara Trott spent years conducting in-depth consumer behavior research in the retail industry. She realized those same principles could be applied to the health care system, making Quantum Health the first health care company to apply consumer-research based strategies.
Care coordinators are encouraged to take their time when engaging with members and providers so they can truly understand their needs. Through this engagement, Quantum Health has a 15-year track record of independently validated results showing seven to eight points cost reduction for medical claim savings in the first year and 20 percent claim savings by year three.
Under Trott’s direction, Quantum Health also has developed a unique technology platform so all information about a health plan member exists in one place. Built-in alerts allow care coordinators to access important information, see appointments and procedures scheduled in real time, and recognize when they can help members save money or improve the quality of care.
Diane Warren
President and owner
Katzinger’s Delicatessen LLC
Katzinger’s Delicatessen LLC President and Owner Diane Warren believes a true deli isn’t just sandwiches, but traditional food served with the integrity of its heritage. Katzinger’s brought specialty foods to Columbus, introducing customers to extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, farm-made cheeses and European-style crusty breads.
It also became one of the area’s first non-smoking restaurants in 1988 and one of the first to offer sidewalk dining.
Katzinger’s was one of a few small businesses to cover the entire premium for employee health care, and still manages to keep plans affordable to staff despite rising costs. In 1993, Warren testified before the U.S. Senate to lobby for changes in our health care system.
Katzinger’s employees also are offered a gain sharing plan to increase business knowledge and provide extra cash.
Warren is a founding member of Dine Original Columbus, promoting locally owned and operated restaurants as an alternative to chain franchises.
Scott White
President and CEO
IGS Energy
Scott White and his father, Marv, founded IGS Energy in 1989 to develop the nation’s first self-help program for natural gas customers and suppliers. Marv has since retired and Scott, president and CEO, assumed leadership of what has become one of the largest independent energy companies in the U.S.
IGS Energy’s five corporate values are camaraderie, innovation, continuous improvement, integrity and exceptional customer experience. Employees are empowered to think differently in developing ways of servicing customers. Their dedication to service is reflected in the company’s 95 percent retention rate among commercial and industrial customers.
The company’s corporate office, designed as a model to encourage energy efficiency, was awarded Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification in 2011. The facility has preferred parking for low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles; solar panels to save on electricity; recycled building materials; and on-site renewable energy sources, enabling it to use 42 percent less energy than a standard building.
Michelle Yeager-Thornton
Co-founder and COO
Champion Real Estate Services
When Champion Real Estate Services opened its doors in 2010, it owned 128 units and managed two apartment communities.
Since then, the multifamily real estate firm led by brother-sister duo Michelle Yeager-Thornton, co-founder and COO, and Brian Yeager has experienced significant growth and currently manages more than 4,000 apartments across 14 communities.
Champion’s growth was in big thanks to a Web-based technology at the core of its operations called Rent Manager. This system allows Champion to keep track of all business facets from accounts receivable, to accounts payable, to resident information and maintenance requests.
The system also integrates with an online application and payment portal, where Champion residents can apply for an apartment or pay their rent online. In fact, Champion provides prospective residents with a way to complete the entire lease signing process online.
In addition, Rent Manager has a mobile component and can be accessed by cell phones and tablets.
Bryant Young
CIO
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
More than five years ago, Bryant Young joined the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as CIO. Young engineered a turnaround of DODD’s IT performance, service levels and raised the visibility of IT, while transforming it into a strategic business partner through large development projects, processes and infrastructure virtualization.
A large part of this effort focused on changing the organization’s culture. The department’s IT game plan quickly became the blueprint for creating a positive customer experience. The plan helped IT to engage the business and effectively utilize limited resources by creating efficiencies through technology.
In the infrastructure space Young focused on replacing outdated equipment and reducing costs. A secondary part of the turnaround was a storage transformation, which allowed DODD to simplify backup processes and leverage backup capabilities.
With adoption of these changes and delivery of the major systems, Young has delivered business value, cultural change and changed people’s lives across Ohio.
