James REED

Regional President

EXCELLUS BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD

* Age: 37

* Do you have ideas to attract and keep youth in the Syracuse area? I think the key to attracting and keeping youth in the area is business development. Young people will migrate to areas where opportunity for employment exists.

* Where do you see the community and yourself in the next 10 years? The community will continue to build upon the solid foundation that our leadership has built for us. I see myself still working within the health-care sector in CNY.

* Who has been the most influential person in your career? My wife, Theresa. Without Theresa I would not be where I am today.

* What are your guiding principles in life? Treat everyone equally, with respect and professionalism. View each challenge as an opportunity.

* What has been your best career decision? Accepting an offer to expand my role at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in 2006.

* How has your life turned out differently than imagined? As a young person growing up in upstate New York, I always imagined that by the age of 37 I would be pitching for the New York Yankees. Who would have thought I would be an insurance executive in Syracuse?

* What is one of your quirks? Working in the health-care field, I have noticed as I get older I become more conscious about germs. I wouldn't consider myself obsessive; however, I am very conscious of the germs around us.

* What are the core values that have been essential to your success? I believe in honesty, integrity, and good old-fashioned hard work.

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