TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 04, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This past Monday, Nov. 2, Greater Tucson Leadership organization announced that native son and founder of Providence Service Corporation, Fletcher McCusker, has been named “Man of the Year”. Fletcher is also founder of Sinfonia Healthcare Corp and SinfoníaRx. This award recognizes not only his business start-ups and experience but his charitable efforts and success in revitalizing downtown Tucson.
McCusker, a University of Arizona alum, returned to Tucson in 1997 after almost a 20 year absence, and launched Providence, from a small office on Tucson’s eastside and a $50,000 loan from the Bank of Tucson. Providence which is one of the first home based mental health companies in the US grew rapidly. The company went public in 2003 and was the first corporation to locate in downtown Tucson in 2010, spurring much of the development that we enjoy today.
McCusker retired from Providence at the end of 2012. Soon after, he launched Sinfonia in an empty downtown warehouse, today the largest provider of medication management services in the country, serving over 7,500,000 patients. Assurance Health & Wellness, the behavioral health division of Sinfonia, is today about the same size as Providence when it went public in 2003 and operates integrated care (combining medical and behavioral health under one roof) in Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia and Maine.
Fletcher was nominated by Gabriela Cervantes, a GTL graduate. Gabriela was assigned to Mr. McCusker through the Emerging Leaders Council of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In her nomination she praised the program and her mentor: When I was paired with him as part of the Emerging Leaders Council, I was incredibly astounded with Mr. McCusker as a person. He has truly come from humble beginnings, overcome great personal loss at a young age and aimed to serve others as his life’s purpose. As someone who comes from a similar background, I thought ”If he can make it, I can make it”. Mr. McCusker’s business acumen and vision are contagious and he encourages those around him to delve into their own innovativeness and entrepreneurship. He happily shares his business knowledge and he encourages the managers and senior executives in his company to do so as well. Mr. McCusker is incredibly sensitive to others’ needs, which I think is what makes him successful as a businessman. He may not admit it, but he often thinks “how can I help this person?” whenever encountering employees or strangers alike. His compassion transcends business and makes him not only an exceptional leader but an admirable human being.
McCusker’s work with Rio Nuevo, the Fox Theatre and Second Saturdays was credited by others supporting his nomination with the early energy and investment in Tucson’s struggling downtown, when in 2010, most of downtown was boarded up and vacant. He has been a major contributor to the arts and is a founding member of the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl which brings a college football bowl game to Tucson, December 29th, 2015.
Lisa Lovallo, Vice President of Cox communications, wrote in support of Fletcher’s nomination: Fletcher is a visionary who has an idea and passion for Tucson and is working to bring these dreams and ideas to reality. Downtown Tucson has become a place of vibrant art, restaurant, business and residential activities, thanks to Fletcher’s investment in the area and work as Chairman of the Rio Nuevo Development District. Fletcher has been the driving force behind 2nd Saturdays Music Festival, the Warehouse Arts District on Toole and the revitalization of the Fox Theatre.
When told of the recognition McCusker said “My grandfather laid sidewalks in downtown Tucson in 1930 and my mom graduated from Tucson High. I am privileged to give something back to this community in their honor. I am grateful to Greater Tucson Leadership, although I expect there are several people more worthy. To be mentioned along with the other 60 something awardees is, indeed, an honor and something I will forever cherish.”