Our Leadership

John W. Strong

John W. Strong is President and Chief Executive Officer of Consorta, responsible for carrying out the strategic plans and polices of the Consorta Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Consorta, John was Senior Vice President with Concepts In Healthcare, Inc., an Ashland, Maryland consulting firm, working out of their Chicago office. During his tenure with Concepts In Healthcare, John utilized his 23 years of healthcare experience to advise manufacturers and health systems on how to change supply and marketing strategies to cope with the financial pressures exerted by managed care, reduced payment rates and industry consolidation. John was previously Chief Operating Officer with Premier, Inc. with responsibility for materials management and pharmacy group purchasing and clinical programs, alternate site services and international programs. He was a key architect of Premier’s powerful group purchasing program.

John received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration with Distinction, and an emphasis in marketing and human resource management, from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a comprehensive major in management, from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

W. Darrel Weatherford

With more than 20 years of experience in the group purchasing industry, Darrel Weatherford oversees the majority of the operational aspects of Consorta, including contract development, account management and general operations. In his additional role as Consorta’s Compliance Officer, Weatherford is responsible for Consorta's overall compliance program and ensures that Consorta adheres to the principles outlined in its Code of Conduct.

Darrel is the current Chair of the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA).
 
Prior to joining Consorta in 1998, Darrel served as Vice President for Concepts in Healthcare, Inc., an Ashland, Maryland consulting firm. He also served as Vice President of Contracting at Premier, Inc. Darrel’s distinguished career also includes group purchasing positions with the University Hospital Consortium, Oak Brook, Illinois and Humana, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky. 

A 1983 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Darrel received a Masters Degree in Business Administration from his alma mater in 1985.

Jacob J. Groenewold

As Vice President, Member Services for Consorta, Jake Groenewold works directly with Consorta Shareholders to develop programs for supply chain cost reductions, as well as increased contract utilization and compliance, within their organizations. His responsibilities also include providing assistance to shareholders and affiliates on operational aspects of Supply Chain. Jake has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience and accomplishment in the healthcare industry.

Jake joined Consorta in December 2002, from Premier, Inc., Oakbrook, IL, where he was Vice President, Supply Chain Partnerships, and his responsibilities in the Supply Chain Solutions Division included providing assistance to owners and affiliates on operational aspects of supply chain through the Outsourcing Division, managing the Portfolio Analysis group, and building relationships with 3rd party consulting firms. Jake had also been involved in a number of supply chain consulting projects. They range in scope from general reviews to detailed studies in centralization, as well as assisting a major healthcare system in the re-engineering of its supply chain function. Jake is a member of the Council of Logistics Management, the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management and the Chicago Health Executives Forum. He has given numerous presentations on the topic of healthcare supply chain. 

Jake holds a bachelor of arts degree in Business and Economics from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a masters degree in Business Administration from DePaul University.

Anna Fox

Anna Fox is Vice President of Contract Operations and Data Management for Consorta, responsible for a wide variety of administrative functions within the organization that include monitoring contract activity through Velocity™ (Consorta’s electronic letter of commitment system), weekly contract communications to Consorta’s membership, and monthly newsletters to suppliers. Anna is responsible for Consorta’s membership and supplier database which play pivotal roles in the organization. In her role, Anna oversees the financial analysis for Consorta’s recruitment activities and member audits. She effectively facilitates processes both internally and externally, supporting all aspects of Consorta’s contracting activity, including integrating contract data into Consorta’s contract management system and ensuring its accuracy. Anna is responsible for the data management services area and for spearheading the supply chain analytics program that is currently under development at Consorta.

Prior to joining Consorta, she was the Director of Operations Administration at Premier, Inc. responsible for Commitment and Compliance program. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles within the healthcare industry, Anna’s experience also includes group purchasing contract development and negotiation at the former Premier Health Alliance and the University Hospital Consortium.