Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Butts Jr.
Hi Dennis , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
This question causes me to remember that I almost didn’t have a story. I was almost kidnapped at the age of 3. I was snatched by a woman as I wandered off as I child only to be miraculously saved by the late Mamie Gardner (founder of Kandy Kane Daycare Center) on the other side of the mall as the woman tried to leave with me. She took my back seeing I was with someone I shouldn’t have been. My story tried to end before it got started, but God had other plans for me! Since then I honestly struggled with my path having always had a sense I was purposed for something great but just not knowing how that would come about. I went to the University of Akron for my undergraiduate degree on a full scholarship studying international business. During my sophomore year I got an internship with Pfizer Inc, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. It was then I learned about how I could put my talent for business to good use in a mission focused industry in healthcare. I thrived in the role as an intern and was offered a full time job in the #1 performing territory in the company – but it would cause me to move to Michigan. I declined believing God wanted me to be in Akron. That was a big decision but one that started my faith journey in my career. I was later offered the west Akron territory which happened to be last in the district and bottom 3 in the region. After hard work I was blessed to turn that territory around winning Vice President Cabinet for being in the top 10% of representatives in the entire company. I went back to school for my MBA knowing I wanted to do something beyond pharmaceutical sales. I went to the Weatherhead School of Management as Case Western Reserve University. It was there that I wrote my personal mission statement – to help people achieve their dreams and exceed their own expectations. I took several business strategy, consulting, and entreneurship courses and fell in love with strategy. I walked away from much opportunity with Pfizer to pursue consulting. It was another faith move where I bet on myself as I left a $60B to go to a small $4M boutique firm in Hudson. I took a pay cut with 2 small kids early in our marriage. After several promotions from senior consultant to manager I was again offered a Director role for Navigant Consulting which became Gudehouse: I came in as a Director, made partner after 3 years and then was promoted again to lead the entire Strategy & Innovation practice of the 2nd largest healthcare consulting firm in the country: not bad for the guy who couldn’t get an interview with any of the big 4 consulting firms out of my MBA program because my standardized test scores weren’t high enough. But I’ve never let the doubters stop me. When someone tells me I can’t it just fuels me to show them that I can. Lastly after leading my consulting team to being awarded Best in Klas for Strategy, Growth, and Consolidation services for 4 consecutive years, I was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & network development officer for Henry Ford Health a $13B health system in Detroit including 13 hospitals, over 500 care sites; and over 50,000 employees
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As referenced before, I have always seem to have to overcome the odds of others doubting me or recognizing my performance. I’ve had to step out on faith, betting on myself that I could drive performance in areas that leaders felt weren’t opportunities and do so consistently. I’ve had to say no to employers when offers didn’t align with my purpose, value for my family, or the level I believed I deserved. But it always hasn’t been a straight line as there have been some disappointments along the way, but I learned from them which only made me the better person I am today.
Leaving a major company was hard. Telling a company I wouldn’t move for the job was risky. Delaying yes until the situation was right was hard to do, but it ultimately put me in a place where I could succeed while maintaining my commitment to Akron, my church, and my family
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
HFH is the largest health system in Detroit. 13 hospitals, over 500 care sites, and over 50,000 employees generating over $13B in annual revenue. I serve as the EVP, Chief Strategy and Network Development Officer overseeing all strategy for the enterprise, performance improvement, transformation, facilities, and government relations. I came into this role after serving as the Integration Leader to bring in Ascension SE Michigan into the Henry Ford Health family which caused the organization to double in size. In my role I also help the organization operate as a true integrated delivery system which includes our academic offerings, health insurance plan, and 2,000+ physicians.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Helping other people makes me happy. It’s how I’m wired and it aligns with my mission statement. It is what drives me related to the scholarship fund my brother and I started in honor of our parents. We have given out $253,000 in scholarships to students in northeast ohio as $12,500 to support pancreatic cancer research. It gives me joy to honor my dad’s legacy by doing good for others
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buttsfamilyscholarship.org
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-butts-jr-648259b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
