I think a good leader has to have a broad understanding of not only the issues but also the impact their actions will have beyond that immediate decision. I think a lot of people make decisions based on the current or immediate problem not realizing the impact those decisions will have in the long run. That’s what I see as a major weakness in some of the today’s leaders. People say something because it makes a quick impression or it makes a quick impact. But yet, the organization whether it be a corporation, a not-for-profit, or the state will pay for those bad decision down the road.

 

I think a leader’s got to have a certain amount of presence or calmness to think through the situation. It can’t be like a knee jerk reaction. You have to be thoughtful, think through, be willing to get advice and take advice. Many of today’s leaders say, “I know the answer and that’s it, and let’s go forward”. No one knows all the answers so leaders must be able to get all the input they can from the best people they can then sort that information out and come up with a decision that is in the best interest of the organization they’re dealing with. I think those are some of the qualities of leaders people respect. They want you to be decisive and make a decision, but you have to be decisive and make a decision based with good information that you’ve thought about and analyzed.-Richard Mark

Prior to joining Ameren in January of 2002, he spent seven years as president and chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Hospital of East St. Louis and five years as its chief operating officer. When Mr. Mark joined St. Mary’s in 1990, St. Mary’s Hospital was losing in excess of $6.5 million per year.

Through improved operations and involvement with local, state and federal officials, the hospital recovered from the brink of financial ruin. Throughout his time at St. Mary’s, Mr. Mark strived to improve access to healthcare for the city’s residents. Through aggressive physician recruitment efforts, Mr. Mark helped recruit more than 30 physicians to the East St. Louis community.

In 1994 a $3.3 million St. Mary’s Medical Office Building was dedicated and now houses the St. Mary’s Medical Group, a multi-specialty group practice comprised of 17 primary care and specialty physicians.

In 1997 the hospital received approval from the state to operate the first managed care plan for Medicaid recipients in downstate Illinois. Since that time the Neighborly Care Plan enrolled nearly 10,000 members.

In 2000 Mr. Mark negotiated to sell the Neighborly Care Plan to a Chicago-based Medicaid managed care company, Harmony Health Plan, which provided added benefits for members and an expansion of the program into other areas of the state. In addition to his work with St. Mary’s, Mr. Mark has been actively involved in the community as a whole.

In 1994 he was appointed Chairman of the State Financial Oversight Panel for East St. Louis School District 189 and has worked diligently to improve the educational system in East St. Louis to ensure that the children receive a quality education.

Mr. Mark began his own college career at Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree, with the intent of graduating and working with young people. After his career led him into other areas, he went on to receive a master of science in Business Management.

Mr. Mark is board certified in healthcare management and is a Diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Mr. Mark has received three Honorary Doctorate Degrees for his public service and leadership. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from St. Louis University, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Quincy University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from National-Louis University.

Mr. Mark is actively involved in a variety of organizations and on numerous boards, including the East St. Louis NAACP Board of Directors, the Major Case Squad Board of Directors, Belleville Dioceses Catholic Community Foundation Board of Directors, St. Louis 2004 Board of Directors, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Merit Commission.