AFN Fireside Chat Series: The CEO Journey
with AFN Member Ben Clayton, CEO, Life Flight Network
With Subject Matter Experts
Ben Clayton, CEO, Life Flight Network
Matt Sitter, CEO, AFN
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As part of our CEO Fireside Chat Series, we are excited to host Ben Clayton, CEO of Life Flight Network, for an insightful discussion on leadership, healthcare, and aviation.
In this session, Ben will share his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of focusing on people as the foundation of any successful organization. Key points that will be covered include:
Leadership and Healthcare Challenges:
• Ben's leadership philosophy and the importance of prioritizing people.
• The growing challenges in healthcare, particularly in rural healthcare access.
• The financial strain on healthcare providers due to high costs and insufficient reimbursement from payors.
• The outdated Medicare and Medicaid rates that no longer reflect current healthcare costs.
Aviation and Innovation:
• The challenges in aviation including the impact of drones on healthcare delivery.
• Accurate weather reporting is essential in ensuring patient safety and timely responses in the aviation sector.
Interactive Q&A Session: Following the fireside chat, Matt Sitter will moderate a live Q&A session, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with Ben, delve deeper into the topics discussed, and gain practical insights to apply to their leadership journeys. These insights will empower you to navigate the challenges in healthcare and aviation. Take the chance to explore these critical issues and learn from Ben's experiences as a leader in both healthcare and aviation!
Ben Clayton
Ben is the Chief Executive Officer of Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical provider with more than 30 locations in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.
Ben started his career as a helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps, after which he spent two years flying helicopters in Africa. Ben's previous roles on the Life Flight Network team include pilot, Chief
Safety Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Ben's time as a helicopter pilot in the Marines saw him participate in multiple land—and ship-based deployments, including Iraq and several countries in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. He was trained extensively in complex operations and aviation safety. As an Aviation Safety Officer, he was trained in human factors, mishap avoidance, and crash investigation techniques. The operational, leadership, and safety skills acquired in the Marines have served him well throughout his military and civilian careers.
Ben grew up in Canby, Oregon, and graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in General Science. He lives in Beaverton with his wife, Lara, and daughters, Hailey and Hannah.
CEO, Life Flight Network
Matt Sitter
Matt Sitter is a passionate believer in the power of networks to innovate and realize new opportunities. His career has focused on helping leaders grow, succeed, and to mobilize their teams, organizations, and networks.
Matt’s work has spanned a broad array of industries including Healthcare, Technology, Real Estate Investment, Consumer Products, and Finance (amongst others). He has worked with multiple Fortune 500 executive teams, Private Equity firms, startups, and everything in between.
In addition to his role at AFN, Matt is currently a partner at the Advisory Services firm, Advantary. His experience includes leadership roles at The McChrystal Group, CrossLead, Inc., and MedLever. He has led multiple functions including Product Management, Marketing, Reimbursement, and Product Development.
Matt is a certified Executive Coach, completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University and received his MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. He is a proud father and husband.
CEO, AFN
