Supplier Diversity Initiatives at Humana are Creating Opportunity for Diverse-owned Businesses

LOUISVILLE, KY, November 6, 2023 – Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is supporting the success of diverse owned businesses through its Supplier Diversity Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) and is proud to announce the program participants for the 2023-2024 class.

Now in its 5^th year, the 12-month program pairs participants with Humana leaders for one-on-one mentorship and monthly learning sessions. By facilitating relationships with various departments across Humana and with other external partners, the program creates new opportunities for success and collaboration. "The success of diverse-owned companies benefits everyone,” said Tarbinlam Lafon, VP and Chief Procurement Officer at Humana. “Increasing diversity increases innovation, improves economic growth in disadvantaged communities, and helps Humana better its business practices, and reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. All of which directly impacts health outcomes and contributes to a healthier society.”

One of Humana’s inaugural mentees, Condrad Daniels, President of the Black-owned supplier company, HJI Supply Chain Solutions helped Humana address an immediate need at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when the company needed a way to quickly obtain and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE). HJI deployed a fulfillment operation in only three weeks, which included a web-based ordering platform for Humana employees. HJI shipped close to 120,000 units in the first week, and within a month, roughly 4 million units had been distributed to Humana facilities and employees. Because of the relationship that had formed out of HJI’s MPP participation, Humana knew the company had the agility and capacity to meet its needs and the two entities were able to quickly join forces to protect staff and save lives.

Another example of the program’s success comes from recent program graduate Tifiany Walker, CEO of Walker Healthforce. When she entered the program in 2020, she had no existing relationship or business with Humana but knew the program would provide insights and connections to help her grow her tech company. At that time, Tifiany didn’t know that the experience would lead to a 10-year contract with Humana Government Business for technology consulting services and ad hoc IT contingent assignments. 

Humana is excited to welcome the 2023 – 2024 class of the Mentor Protégé Program. Below are brief introductions to the participants and their organizations.

• Jeff Davis, CB Tech: As President, CEO and Owner, Jeff oversees the strategic direction of the Ohio based facility maintenance management company CB Tech. Jeff joined the company in 1996, with 50% ownership, and in 1998, purchased the remaining 50% of the company. CB Tech was formed in mid-1990 as a computer consulting firm, and when Jeff assumed ownership, the company was still primarily focusing on network and operation systems, staff augmentation and customized application development. In 2006, a new opportunity led the company to transform its offerings to specialize in facility maintenance management. The company now has a combined workforce of over 75,000 self-performed and certified affiliate service providers across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
• Jordan Miller, Adelphi Bank: Jordan A. Miller, Jr. serves Chairman and CEO of Adelphi Bank. The newly founded bank received its FDIC and Ohio Department of Financial Institutions (ODFI) approval in January of 2023, and is the 21st Black-owned bank in the country and first in Ohio. The bank’s goal is to help individuals, families and businesses build wealth and self-sufficiency. Prior to Adelphi, Jordan was the Regional Chairman at Fifth Third Bank of Central Ohio and leader of its local Advisory Board. Jordan serves as a board member of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and two for-profit companies. He is also a member of the Columbus City Schools Finance and Appropriations Committee.
• Carlton Oneal, LightSpeedEdu, Inc.: Carlton L. Oneal is the President LightSpeedEdu, Inc., a privately-owned eLearning and communications firm that specializes in eLearning, motion graphics and multimedia video development. Carlton is responsible for overall business development and growth of the company through strategic marketplace expansion and consults with clients on eLearning and communication strategy development and oversees production of educational deliverables to ensure LightSpeedEdu, Inc. meets the goals and needs of client companies and their staff. Carlton has an exemplary ability to develop, mentor and lead teams and has helped others leverage their talents through personal coaching and team-level workshops focused on team performance, effective communications and diversity. Carlton also serves as a member of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council Board of Directors and is a member of the board’s Executive Committee.
• Carl Satterwhite, River City Furniture, LLC DBA RCF Group: Carl Satterwhite is the President, CEO and owner of RCF Group. RCF Group was founded in 2003 when Carl’s then company, Infinity Services, joined forces with Scott Robertson, owner of Global Business Interiors. Merging the two companies, with Carl buying ownership of 55% of the company, allowed the company to scale and expand its offerings and qualify as a certified Minority Business Enterprise. RCF Group, originally called River City Furniture, initially provided furniture, furnishings and installation services for commercial entities, and has since added services including move management and landscape management. As President and CEO, Carl provides executive oversight for the strategic business planning of the organization and has helped the company expand the diversity of its workforce. Carl also maintains c-suite relationships with RCF Group clients, mentors, leadership, promotes continued diverse hiring and spend, and represents RCF Group in civic involvement.
• Mark Wilson, Chime Solution DBA VXI Global Solutions: Mark Wilson founded Chime Solutions in 2016 to offer a differentiated business model focused on creating jobs and reducing unemployment in underserved communities while providing customer support and delivering high-touch contact center solutions for mid-sized companies and Fortune 500 corporations. After successfully creating over 2,000 jobs and opening centers in Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte, Mark sold Chime Solutions in early 2023 to VXI Global Solutions, a minority owned business in the customer support sector with a similar social impact mission. Mark now serves as Chief Impact Officer for VXI Global Solutions, where he will continue to focus on cultivating opportunity and driving transformation change. He also serves on the Boards of The US Chamber of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente Georgia Region, Public Sector Solutions Group, Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business and Wilberforce University.

Learn more about our commitment to supplier diversity and approach to procurement practices that ensure an equitable investment and balance of partnerships with historically underutilized businesses.

About Humana
Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jasmine Weatherby
Humana Corporate Communications
Email: jweatherby@humana.com