August/September 2010 Newsletter
Tribute and Transition
For thirty-five of the thirty-seven years that Quadax, Incorporated has been in business, Thomas A. Kish has been an integral part of our success.
When Tom began his employment with Quadax in 1975, the company was a mere handful of people, working hard to bring a dream to reality. Now, after more than three decades of working with the company, he has seen the dream become a reality. Tom is quick to give the company's two founders the credit, stressing product innovation and superb customer service. “What Quadax is as a company is highly attributable to the guys who started the company: they are the adventurers. They set out, and succeeded, to build this firm on a foundation of ethics, responsibility, creativity, and family values. And they’ve lived that out every day.”
Tom’s reflections on Quadax’s progress and prosperity come at the announcement of his retirement, effective October 31, 2010, concluding a career whose milestones mirror the development of electronic data interchange (EDI) in healthcare finance.
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Retiring EDI Services CEO Tom Kish |
Tom fiercely resists being labeled a pioneer in the industry, but in those early days, Tom was the Information Systems (IS) department for Quadax, writing programs, negotiating leased computer time, and acting as the computer operator, as well as assisting with decisions regarding the acquisition of hardware. Under Tom’s watch, the IS business operation evolved and the staff grew. Tom progressed from General Manager to Vice President to Executive Vice President.
In 2001, Tom Kish was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the newly chartered EDI Services business unit, when the two lines of business Quadax had been maintaining became two distinct business units with unique management teams. Under Tom’s leadership, EDI Services has grown technologically with innovative product enhancements and service lines. EDI Services has also continued to advance a service model that delivers industry-leading support to our clients.
In 2001, Xpeditor was still a young product, though quickly gaining recognition for its power, efficiency, and flexibility as a claims management system. Nine years later, Xpeditor has evolved into a robust, highly specialized claims management system with Xtensions for Remittance Management, Eligibility and Claim Status transactions, Denial Management, and Audit Control.
In Quadax’s earliest days, Tom implemented the programming and processes to change the game in electronic data processing – traditionally handled on keypunched cards – by introducing logic. Tom has been involved in many game-changing innovations over the years, though he’s now leaving the programming to the many capable professionals he’s added to the organization. It’s those capable professionals that inspire his greatest satisfaction as Tom reflects on his career with Quadax. When asked about the contribution of which he is the proudest, Tom states unequivocally, “I feel that what I have done is hire key people in this company. To me, Quadax is an organism. It’s nurturing and sustaining and growing itself through the creativity and skills of people. Product comes and product goes – the product we feature today may not be in place five to ten years from now. The key to the future of Quadax is in our people.” Tom is also particularly gratified by the achievement of an objective he and I drove together: the development of the Partner program. This program enables leaders in this company to feel vested, in the same way that founders Ralph Daugstrup and Tom Hockman always helped Tom to feel.
“I have often thought that they have given me the most exceptional opportunity: to operate here as if I owned the company. They let me do what I felt was best, but they helped to nurture ideas, plans, and projects. They’re very supportive. I have always felt that anybody coming into this environment that brings something of value to the company would be recognized, and would have opportunities for their own growth along with the company. I challenge people to create that spot for themselves, growing out of their own skills and abilities, and they will succeed. This is the philosophy I extend to the people I develop, and I think it was extended to me. This concept of nurturing growth and excellence is the result of the way the owners founded and nurtured the company, and their resolve to maintain a focused plan for Quadax. They’ve concentrated on how we can create something that lasts into the future. Everything we’ve done is about creating longevity for the company and for employees: creating better situations for our clients―and for our employees―with a stable environment, enabling success. Quadax is a fantastic company.”
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Tony Petras will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer – EDI Services
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Tom’s confidence about the company’s continued success is well-founded, based on the competence of the talented staff Tom leaves behind. We are very pleased to announce that Anthony (Tony) W. Petras has been selected to assume Tom’s responsibilities in the role of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer – EDI Services, ensuring continuity for our clients and our organization. Tony, who began his career with Quadax in 1989 in sales, has served as Vice President since 1998. He has worked diligently with Tom to create a “Best of Class” EDI Services business. In Tom’s own words, “Tony is invaluable to the process because he knows the What, How, and Why of who we are and what we’ve done. He’s grown professionally along with Quadax; he’s earned the respect of the people and clients that he works with. I can think of no one better to keep things moving forward.”
We are excited to have the opportunity for Tony to move up and take on an executive leadership role in the Company, and even more excited for Tony’s colleagues to have an opportunity to further advance their careers.
In simple words, through the years Tom has become an institution at Quadax. His leadership, counsel, and daily bright smile will be sorely missed by all who work with him. His contributions and values will never be forgotten.
Tom, may you enjoy your retirement as much as I have enjoyed working with you all these years.