Today, our forthcoming Corporate Citizen of the Year, IBX President and CEO Greg Deavens, announced he will be retiring at the end of this year. Deavens, 63, became CEO four years ago and has helped lead the region and Independence through a pandemic; modeled diverse hiring; oversaw an expansion in behavioral health access; and helped create the Coalition to Eliminate Race Based Medicine to make the delivery of healthcare more equitable. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
This morning, Deavens called to discuss his decision, in advance of our February 25 event honoring his service. This is an edited and condensed transcript of our conversation.
Larry Platt: Congrats, Greg. Can you walk me through your thinking as to why you’ve decided to retire?
Greg Deavens: Our company has a long tradition of instituting five-year strategic plans. I succeeded Dan Hilferty the last time we adopted a five-year plan, and our current plan expires at the end of 2025. I never thought I’d work until I was 70 years old, so it made sense to retire consistent with the pattern established by our last couple of CEOs.
I know you’re not given to tooting your own horn, but let’s talk about your legacy for IBX and the region.
First of all, I’m not planning on leaving Philadelphia. Last fall, I started my two-year term as chair of the Chamber, and my intention and desire is to continue to serve in that capacity into the fall of 2026. I love the city and region and plan on continuing to serve it.
As for legacy, my goal is always to leave things better than I found them. I started during the pandemic and helped the country and region through big changes in behavioral health, expanding the network of providers. We also expanded the network of telehealth providers and an important part of our work has been to work with our healthcare ecosystem partners to further our deep commitment to health equity.
So I want to be clear — you’ll still be on the job for the next year and still heavily engaged civically. Once you do retire from IBX, what will you do with your time?
Well, two of my three kids have caught the entrepreneurial bug and I’ll be helping get their projects launched — right here in Philadelphia. Other than that, I’m looking forward to traveling with my wife and really improving my golf game.
As you know, we speak truth to power here at The Citizen. So here goes. This is particularly relevant at this moment: Has your service here in Philadelphia finally cured you of your Dallas Cowboys fandom?
Now that’s a bridge too far. I’m very happy for the city and the region to see the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but I am a Cowboys season ticketholder …
… You’re a season ticketholder?
Yes, I have a cousin in Dallas and we split the tickets. I’ll be able to get to more games once I retire.
Well, in the interest of modeling tolerance, let me thank you, a Cowboy fan, for serving Philadelphia.
[Laughs] Thank you.
MORE PHILADELPHIA CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
Greg Deavens (center) with Phillies announce Tom McCarthy (left) and owner John Middleton (right) at Citizens Bank Park.