Candid CIO

FCG was one of the first “boutique” consulting firms in the healthcare IT (HIT) space. It was founded by the late Jim Reep and Zan Calhoun. Now, it is part of HIT history.

I believe I was at FCG during the golden age. There was not a lot of structure, but there were a lot of talented people figuring out this new industry. We were staying a few steps ahead of our clients. I remember working on a strategy project and we were arguing about the necessity for a PC network as part of the strategy. That’s how young the industry was.

Back in those days (1987 - 1990) Jim and Zan would shut down the entire company for one week and take us on a retreat in San Diego’s Pala Mesa resort. Somewhere I have have a picture of the staff at my first retreat - the first 50 FCG employees.

This was in important time in my life. I gained a lot of self-confidence and learned what it meant to love your work. I also had a lot of great mentors: Zan, Karen Reed, Julie Bonello and Steve Heck. I also loved my peers in the Chicago office: Pete and Andy Smith, Liz Krimendahl, John Hoben and many others. I still cherish my memories of Friday afternoons at Wrigley Field with this cast of characters. Work is great when you have a sense of camaraderie with your co-workers (which is why I am so happy now).

We were a small firm then. I remember our first $1M month. When FCG was sold to CSC they were a much different public company earning many times that. Good times, then. Good times, now.