09 Mar Tommy Thompson tackles the private sector in spades
Tommy Thompson, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and longtime Wisconsin governor, has plunged head-first into several high-profile executive positions since leaving his Cabinet post in January.
Thompson accepted three positions: senior adviser for Big Four accounting firm Deloitte & Touche USA; law partner at Washington power firm Akin Bump Strauss Hauer & Feld; and president of La Crosse-based Logistics Health Inc., a privately held provider of medical readiness and homeland security services. Thompson also will serve as the independent chair of the Deloitte Center for Health Care Management and Transformation.
Deloitte has confirmed with Thompson that he will spend 70 percent to 80 percent of his time working with Akin and Deloitte on various initiatives, particularly establishing the Center for Health Care Management and Transformation, a Deloitte representative told WTN. Based in Washington, D.C., the center will specialize in health-care, including major public health management and transformation issues involving federal and state governments.
Thompson’s position with Logistics was effective Feb. 23, according to the company. As president of Logistics, Thompson will be responsible for management and growth of the company, including development and implementation of the company’s strategic business plan. A representative of Logistics was unavailable for comment on Thompson’s role.
“I am very pleased to join Logistics, a company that shares my vision for a healthier, stronger and safer America,” Thompson said in a Logistics news release. “Medical readiness, disease prevention and homeland security, including vigilance against bio-terrorism and other threats, are of critical importance. This new role will allow me to work with a highly qualified team to continue to address some of the most significant health care issues facing our country.”
Thompson also expressed enthusiasm for his role with his new East Coast employers.
“I look forward to working with Akin Gump and Deloitte & Touche USA LLP as they each explore and develop creative solutions to health care challenges facing individuals, communities, governments and businesses in America and promote advances in health care around the world,” Thompson said in a separate release. “This is a great way to embark on a new career in the private sector, with two firms that have an unmatched level of expertise, global reach and influence in the health care field.”
R. Bruce McLean, Akin Gump’s chairman, said Thompson will focus on helping the firm “to develop a multidisciplinary health and life science practice” along with partners from various facets of the firm’s practice, including health, litigation and policy practices.
“He has developed a reputation for creativity and boldness that is nearly unmatched. We are extremely pleased that Secretary Thompson has decided to join our firm,” McLean said.
John Bigalke, a vice chairman of Deloitte & Touche USA and managing partner of its Life Sciences & Health Care industry group, added, “I am excited about the prospect of combining the resources of industry-leading life science and health practices with the insights and advice that Secretary Thompson brings to create a transforming vision for private and public sectors. There are pressing issues to be addressed and I believe, working with Secretary Thompson, solutions will be achieved that can have a lasting effect on behalf of our clients.”