Alumnus is a Tough Texas Power Broker with the San Antonio Medical Foundation
Jim Reed, ’60 ΣΑΕ, of San Antonio, TX, may be the toughest person with the San Antonio Medical Foundation. The president of the organization returned to work just weeks after open heart surgery this summer.
Singled out on Sept. 16 as a “Texas Power Broker” in the San Antonio Express-News, Reed is described as “a restless 80-year-old” and someone who recently defied doctor’s orders, jetting off to Egypt and Denmark with his wife prior to his aortic valve replacement in August.
Read more about Reed in the Express-News article here, and find out how a Westminster education helped the executive find his purpose — from his nearly 31-year career with Southwestern Bell to his recent stint at the helm of a medical foundation that boasts 15 hospitals, more than 40 health and research organizations, 80 medical office buildings and dozens of clinics.
Please tell a little bit about your education.
I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westminster, and I graduated from the executive management program at the University of Illinois.
Can you summarize your career and nonprofit work?
I retired from Southwestern Bell, which is currently AT&T, as division manager of South Texas Marketing. I was district executive director of the American Heart Association in San Antonio from 1992 to 1999 and have been president of the San Antonio Medical Foundation since 1999.
How did your Westminster education help you find your purpose?
A liberal arts education gave me a broad background in approaching things. Being presidents of the SAE chapter and Inter-fraternity Council exposed me to experiences in management and politics, which I didn’t even know I was getting at the time.
What is your favorite Westminster memory?
Other than meeting my wife, who was a “Woodsy,” the relationships and friendships I developed through intramural sports and fraternity life are lasting memories.
What do you consider your greatest success?
Other than raising a family, evolving into leadership positions in a number of not-for-profit entities allowed me to give back to the community and state, which gives me satisfaction.
Spouse’s name?
Katie Nowinski Reed.
Children and grandchildren?
I have a daughter, Holly Reed, 50, Managing Director-External Affairs of Texas Central (the high-speed “bullet train” being developed between Dallas and Houston; and a son Philip Reed (deceased).
I have three grandchildren: Bailey Reed, 25, who teaches first grade in the Klein District in Houston; Allie Reed, 23, who works in the information technology department of My Table in Denver; and Jack Reed, 20, a student at Texas State University.
What is the last book you read?
Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
What’s your favorite quote?
“When negotiating, don’t hold out for getting everything, otherwise you will probably end up getting nothing.” – Author Unknown
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy golf, travel and politics.
