Welcome to the first Employee Spotlight of the year! To start the year off strong, we are featuring Jason White. Jason is a Supervisor of Medical Device Audit and Compliance and joined the SpendMend team five years ago. When asked what he looks forward to for his future at SpendMend, he stated, “The continued growth of the Med Device department. We are just getting started.” Jason is from Garden Grove, Orange County, Southern California, and Huntington Beach. He attended California State University Fullerton and studied Business, focusing on Marketing. During work, Jason listens to podcasts such as the Russell Brand Podcast and Park Predators. For the Russel Brand Podcast, he enjoys the topics surrounding current events and how they are portrayed to the public. His favorite topic to learn about on Park Predators is the psychology of a criminal to find warning signs. Jason recommends listening to the Park Predators’ discussion of a crime in a national or state park, and if you’re interested in current events, the Russell Brand Podcast covers all topics, so there is something for everyone. Thank you for the recommends, Jason! A fun fact about Jason is that he completed the Spartan Tri-Fecta by finishing three obstacle course races of 3, 6, and 13 miles in a calendar year. Jason explains that the obstacle course race is an off-road marathon with obstacles to complete, such as spinning monkey bar traverses and rope climbs. He enjoys his training the most when he achieves his goals or when he has to figure out new ways to accomplish goals. He has met and bonded with many people during the races and likes sharing stories about his journey with the marathon. Check out the full interview below to learn more about Jason and his experience with Spartan Tri-Fecta. Outside of work, Jason likes to spend his free time hiking! He prefers hiking alone and enjoys getting away from everyday stressors. If he could recommend any trails for fellow hikers, he states, “The Mount St Helen’s area to see both the devastation and the rebirth. Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks. Anywhere in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.”
Jason is an appreciated team member as a Medical Device Audit and Compliance Supervisor. We asked Dennis Beall, Manager of Medical Device Audit and Compliance, about Jason, and he said, “Jason is the most dependable person I have ever worked with in my career. Jason and I have worked together for nearly 16 years, and that is the first trait that comes to mind. Ask him a question or assign him a task and consider it done. He takes on a lot of responsibility, helping to manage the Med Device Team, and his work ethic is outstanding!” Thank you for all you do, Jason. We are grateful to have you on the SpendMend Team.
Interview with Jason:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Supervisor of Medical Device Audit & Compliance
How long have you been with SpendMend?
Five years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
SpendMend acquired my previous company, Contract Management Strategies.
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Dedicated, Team-Oriented, Forward-Thinking
Where are you located/from?
Garden Grove, Orange County, Southern California, halfway between Disneyland (I had the inside hookup as a kid) and Huntington Beach (Surf City, USA). I went to the beach often but never got the hang of surfing.
Where did you go for higher education?
Cal State University Fullerton.
What did you study and why?
I studied Business with a focus on Marketing because I wanted to be practical and creative. Huge mistake. If I could go back and do it again, I would study something interesting like Evolutionary Psychology.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I know I am making a positive impact on our clients.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Stocking shelves at IKEA overnight. It makes me thankful I no longer work the graveyard shift.
What is one fun fact about you?
I completed the Spartan Tri-Fecta by finishing three obstacle course races of 3, 6, and 13 miles in a calendar year.
When did you start participating in the Spartan Tri-Fecta, and what piqued your interest to start?
Spring 2022. A friend asked if I wanted to join him for a 13+ mile 26 obstacle race in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. He would be participating in August 2022. I started training the next day and did a local 3-mile 20 obstacle race as an introduction to what to expect. Then, rounded out the 2022 Trifecta with a 6-mile 24-obstacle race in October in the hills just north of inland Los Angeles County, which was colder and more windy than British Columbia.
Can you explain in some detail what the obstacle course race consists of?
Spartans can best be described as off-road marathons interspersed with obstacles like spinning monkey bar traverses, rope climbs, weight carries, etc.
What is the most challenging part of the obstacle course?
Depending on the time of year and location, it is usually the elements and altitude. For example, the British Columbia race was 37 degrees and windy at 7,000 feet in just a t-shirt and shorts. But the hardest part is the ascent after having climbed up, then gone back down, only to have to ascend again. This is where you have to be mentally strong and know your training will get you to the finish line.
What part of training do you enjoy the most?
Finishing a workout without hurting myself (not a joke, as I had to overcome several injuries in the past). And setting a goal and achieving it. Or figuring out a better way to accomplish the same goal.
Are there any fun facts you would like to share about your experience competing?
Although I train alone and only compete against myself, I meet people during the race and hear their stories while sharing the camaraderie of misery, knowing what it took to get there and what it is going to take to finish. Everyone is equal and has mutual respect in those moments of pain and accomplishment.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Current events include Russell Brand and True Crime, like Park Predators. Hardcore thrash metal like Slipknot, Wage War, and Bullet For My Valentine.
What are some of your favorite topics the Russell Brand or Park Predators podcast covers?
For Russell Brand, it’s the underlying truth between current events and how they are portrayed to the public. The Park Predators are able to uncover the psychology of a criminal to find warning signs.
What is something you’ve taken away from listening?
Although there are forces trying to exert power and control, we can take ownership of ourselves and try to make a positive impact on those around us. If more people tried to do that, the world would be a better place. As for Park Predators, be aware of your surroundings and understand that there is no help coming. Be prepared for self-rescue and have a plan if everything goes wrong.
Are there any episodes you recommend?
Russell Brand covers all current events, from war and politics to artificial intelligence and health. So, there is something for everyone. As for Park Predators, if there was a crime of particular interest that occurred in a National or State Park, you can probably find it there.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Hiking (summited three 14,000 footers) and training for Spartan Obstacle course races. Sports card collecting.
When did you start hiking, and do you hike alone or with a group?
In my twenties. I prefer to go alone, but I trained with friends for months in anticipation of the Mount Whitney group trip.
What are some of your favorite hikes you’ve taken and why?
Mount Whitney for the challenge of making it to the top of the tallest peak in the lower 48. Mount St Helen’s for the view of the smoking crater. The canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante of southern Utah for its sheer remoteness.
What do you enjoy most about hiking?
Being alone in nature, away from the everyday stressors.
Which trails or areas would you recommend to fellow hikers?
The Mount St Helen’s area to see both the devastation and the rebirth. Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks. Anywhere in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. But more importantly, I would just suggest going to the nearest place that has more trees than cars and putting down the screens.
Who do you interact with
Clients
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
There have been many positive interactions. But I think the best summary is when we are able to simplify an extremely complex process and the client thanks us for taking care of everything that they were previously very stressed about.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
I know I can always count on you. You are my go-to guy.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
Knowing we help ease the burden of their responsibilities and get the money back.
If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?
I work from home in Southern California, but I would be at the ping pong table any chance I get.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
Unfortunately, I have not been able to be physically present, but I am happy to contribute to SpendMend’s charitable opportunities.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
Dennis Beall. He is our department leader and interacts with the top brass, so I can focus on working directly with the clients.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Expect to work hard in a positive team-oriented environment.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Learning how to help clients by expanding my knowledge and continuing to grow professionally.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
The continued growth of the Med Device department. We are just getting started.