Jacksonville University selected Earnie Franklin, chief operating officer for VSP Vision, as the recipient of the inaugural Executive Alumnus of the Year Award from the Davis College of Business and Technology.
“We’re pleased to recognize an accomplished business leader with our first executive alumnus award from the Davis College of Business and Technology,” Barbara Ritter, Davis College dean, said in a news release Oct 14.
“Earnie exemplifies all that our graduates can achieve and all that they can become. His impact on the business world and his willingness to give back to the community make him a role model for our current and future alumni.”
JU said the award aims to celebrate exceptional accomplishments of Davis College of Business & Technology alumni who exemplify leadership and have made meaningful contributions to their professions and communities. Some of the selection criteria includes professional achievement and societal impact as well as professional achievement.
“JU has been a blessing to our family,” Franklin said in the release. “My EMBA degree from the Davis College of Business was a catalyst for my growth as an executive.”
Franklin received his executive master’s degree in business administration from JU. As COO for Rancho Cordova, California-based VSP Vision, a global company that combines eye care insurance and services to strengthen the relationship between patients and their eye doctors, he leads the organization’s supply chain strategy and operations while driving integration and alignment.
Franklin’s focus is on making business strategy a reality through the transformation of technology and business operations. In 2018, he joined VSP Vision from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, bringing with him expertise in healthcare and technology that spans from core-business capability platforms to front office and customer relationship management tools.
Previously, he led IT and information security efforts at Triserv Alliance LLC, a start-up focused on helping health care companies bid on Tricare contracts. Franklin also helped lead growth strategy at Incepture, a former, wholly-owned subsidiary of Florida Blue, which provided health care staffing, consulting and managed solutions. During his tenure at Incepture, Franklin helped deliver 400% revenue growth in a five-year period.
In the community, he is an active participant in PanCan’s Purple Stride events to help raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Also, as a long-time supporter of type 1 diabetes research, Franklin was named the 2020 One Party Gala honoree by JDRF of Northern California for his dedication to help find a cure.