Happy Friday! This week’s edition of the Employee Spotlight Series is about Eric Howard! Eric is a Regional VP of Sales – Pharmacy Compliance and joined the SpendMend team about a year and three months ago. When asked what he looks forward to in his future at SpendMend, he stated, “I want to continue to grow personally and professionally with a company that does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.” Eric is from Eagle, Idaho, which is a suburb of Boise. He graduated from Boise State University, where he majored in public affairs! Eric chose to study public affairs because he wanted a career in either government or business. A fun fact about Eric is that he completed the 5th grade at a public school in London, England. Eric’s mom was a university professor in Biology, and she took a program to teach overseas. Eric and his mom moved to England for a year, and Eric went to Primrose Hill Primary School. Eric enjoyed exploring the area and doing something new every day, like visiting museums and historical sites or attending theater shows. When asked about an interesting experience living in London, Eric answered, “One of the most memorable times, our class was invited to stay for a week at Featherstone Castle in Northern England near the Scottish border. We spent most days out hiking and exploring near Hadrian’s Wall, where the movie “Robin Hood” was filmed.” Another fun fact about Eric is that he enjoys riding motocross. He started riding in high school because he had a few friends pursuing professional racing careers! He loves motocross because it’s a great way to hang out with friends. Eric spends most of his time riding single-track forest trails. Read the full interview below to learn more about Eric’s experience with motocross! Another hobby that Eric likes to do is go camping and fishing. Every year, he plans a few trips to ride motorcycles with his friends in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. During these trips, they usually ride up to 100 miles daily in the forest! Eric also likes to go camping on the Oregon coast and go salmon-fishing or tuna-fishing. Eric’s go-to trip is taking his drift boat to the South Fork of the Snake River near Yellowstone National Park and going fly fishing.
Eric is a highly respected team member at SpendMend and does a great job in his role. We asked Michelle Regnier, Business Development Manager, about Eric, and she stated, “Working with Eric Howard never feels like work. He always has a positive attitude and will take on as many meetings as I can give him. Eric works hard behind the scenes to provide solid 340B compliance and mock audit quotes for the prospects Joe Heminger, and I send his way. He is quick to update our CRM after these meetings, so Joe and I can see in real time how everything went, which helps with our follow-up. Eric recently added some great updates to our 340B marketing collateral and knows a few key areas on the HRSA website that come in handy as well. He checks in regularly with me to make sure we are tackling our 340B prospects as a team. He is always approachable, a real team player, and a lot of fun to work with! #TeamEric” We appreciate all that you do, Eric! Thank you!
Interview with Eric:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Regional VP of Sales – Pharmacy Compliance
How long have you been with SpendMend?
One year and three months
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I did some research on LinkedIn
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Leading, Fluid, Talent
Where are you located/from?
Born and raised in Eagle, ID a suburb of Boise, ID. Moved out of state a few times over the years but ended up moving back to Eagle as this is where our family loves to be.
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I graduated from Boise State University. Yes, we have Blue Turf on our football field… and no, it’s not called the Smurf Turf. I majored in Public Affairs, as I wanted to keep my career options open, with plans to work in government or business.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
The culture of the company is great. Mostly, it is being surrounded by a team stocked full of highly talented individuals who support me but also motivate me to be my best.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I worked for a laboratory selling clinical lab testing… I remember one time offering to take testing cups full of urine to UPS to be sent to the reference lab. I calculated that with all the sample cups added together, I had about 2 gallons of urine in the trunk of my car… Kinda gross!
What is one fun fact about you?
I completed the 5th grade at a public school in London, England.
Why were you living in England for your 5th-grade year?
My mom was a university professor of Biology. Much like studying abroad, there are programs to go and teach overseas. So, she took a sabbatical from Boise State, and we moved to London, England.
What was the most interesting part about living there?
I attended Primrose Hill Primary School. During my time there, I would walk from our flat (apartment) across Regents Park and past the London Zoo, where I remember hearing Lions roaring early in the morning and would sometimes get scared thinking about if they were to escape the zoo. There was a lot of adventure almost every day, whether visiting museums and historical sites or attending theatre shows. One of the most memorable times was when our class was invited to stay for a week at Featherstone Castle in northern England near the Scottish border. We spent most days out hiking and exploring near Hadrian’s Wall, where the movie “Robin Hood” was filmed.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Sports Radio and Jim Rome Show
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Ride Motocross motorcycles and attend all home BSU football games. A few camping and fishing trips during the year.
When did you start riding Motorcross motorcycles?
I started riding motocross in high school as I had a few friends who were pursuing professional racing careers.
What do you like the most about Motorcross?
Going out riding has always been a great way to spend time with friends. Early on, I spent a lot of time racing at amateur events however, now I spend most of my time riding single-track Forest trails.
What is the most challenging?
I think for me, riding presents a lot of challenges to overcome whether that be obstacles and difficult terrain, my own conditioning to stay in shape for longer more enduring rides and having a small amount of mechanical skill set to work on your bike.
Where is your favorite place to go camping and go fishing?
Every year, I like to plan a few camping trips to meet up with friends to camp and ride motorcycles in the backcountry of either Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Some of these trips are very exhausting as we can ride up to 100 miles a day in the forest. When I do get a chance to go fishing, I enjoy spending time on the Oregon coast, either salmon fishing or tuna fishing. If I don’t get a chance to make it to the coast, I will usually try to find time for a fly-fishing trip with my drift boat to the South Fork of the Snake River near Yellowstone National Park. This is a world-class destination for some, but I’m lucky it’s only five hours away.
Who do you usually go camping with?
Friends
Who do you interact with
Potential Clients
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
Anytime you can help a prospect who is not familiar with SpendMend realize the value of our solutions and then become a client, those are always the ones that stand out as great wins.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
You were awesome and made this so easy.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
Being part of the 340B Compliance team it is a great feeling, that you are playing an important role in supporting hospitals & clinics with their 340B savings.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
With such a talented group, I really depend on the entire Compliance and Professional Services team.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Don’t feel overwhelmed by the experts around you, they are really good people.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Being the lead sales representative at 340B conferences really shows the confidence and support the company entrusts you with.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the future at SpendMend?
I want to continue to grow personally and professionally with a company that does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.