WHO WE ARE
Jim Rodriguez is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare 
Executives, Program Committee Chair for the Board of Directors of the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives, member and past Vice-Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He served as Executive Director of the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston’s 3-Share health benefits program from March 2008 to June 2010. He implemented the health benefits program for UTMB in four months and attained record enrollment capacity within the first 3 months after launch. He relocated to UTMB from Ohio he was a health care systems administrator with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). As CCHMC Physician- Hospital Organization Administrator, he represented 43 private pediatric offices in managed care contract negotiations, and acted as a management consultant for physician office operations. Jim has served in senior leadership positions with private and public medical centers, an outpatient hospital, community mental health organizations, provider-owned HMOs, PPOs and a Medicare Advantage Plan. His expertise includes start-up and turn-around situations with and between insurers and providers.
As Executive Director of the Galveston 3-Share Plan, Jim succeeded in the start-up and implementation of the first 3-Share Health Benefits Plan in Texas providing coverage for the working uninsured and underinsured. His efforts in Galveston and elsewhere in Texas have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kaiser Network, California Healthline, Texas Health Plan Analysis and the Brian Lehrer Report (radio show in New York) among others. His successful career trajectory landed him an interview in the prestigious American College of Healthcare Executives Journal of Healthcare Management.
In 2009, Jim was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the TexHealth Central Texas Plan in Austin, Texas where he successfully launched it’s 3 Share Plan. In April 2010 Jim was appointed the permanent President and CEO of TexHealth Central Texas and has grown that Plan to become the third largest Multi-Share Plan in the Country. Jim is a contributing member of the TexHealth Coalition and a founding member of the National Multi-Share Coalition. He speaks at national conferences regarding 3-share plans, managed care contracting and other health related topics.
Ron Buffum (Board Chair)
has a distinguished career in the health insurance business. He is on the Marketing Committee assisting the organization with bringing in new clients and helping to lead the organization’s marketing strategies and practices.
Dr. James Brown
received his MD from The University of Texas at Houston Medical School and is the former medical director of Texas Universities Health Plan. Dr. Brown is a member of the Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, and numerous other organizations.
Andy Martinez
former President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has myriad experience serving the Hispanic community and tackling issues associated with health care. His 30 years of experience in management and executive positions is crucial to guiding the direction of THCT.
Joyce McDonald
is the Executive Director of Frameworks Community Development Corporation and a TexHealth member. McDonald has a wealth of experience working with low-to-moderate income households and minorities and is pivotal to provide information that enables TexHealth to serve those populations.
Kit Abney Spelce
After 15 years at Seton, Kit joined Central Health as their Senior Director for Eligibility Services where she oversees Central Health’s outreach and enrollment strategies for MAP, Medicaid, CHIP and the ACA.
Brian Mueller
has a Master’s degree in Accounting, is an Enrolled Agent with IRS and is a Certified Public Accountant in his own practice in Austin. He is multi-lingual and is an Adjunct Professor of accounting at Concordia University.
Gus Cardenas
is the President and Co-Founder of the Austin Healthcare Council. The Austin Healthcare Council is leading the charge towards innovation and collaboration in the Austin healthcare ecosystem.
James (Jim) Rodriguez (President and CEO)
began his career with TexHealth at the Galveston branch before heading the Central Texas division. Under his leadership, TexHealth Central Texas grew to become the largest Texas 3-share plan.