Jake Pehrson knows what it takes to run a business.
As VP of operations at Premier Medical Distribution, Jake Pehrson often finds himself focused on strategic
planning around the company’s finances, sales, regulatory compliance and more. He has also been known to pull orders in the warehouse and answer customers’ service calls. “As a small company, each of us must pitch in to help wherever necessary,” he says. In fact, this hands-on approach has helped him and his team navigate the challenges of the COVID pandemic, as well as ongoing challenges inherent in the continuously changing landscape of healthcare manufacturing and distribution, as they continue to build a robust and resilient business.
Indeed, Pehrson knows a thing or two about what it takes to run a business. His entrepreneurial roots can be traced back to a Commodore 128 that his parents gifted his family the Christmas of 1986. “Growing up in the 1980s, I was lucky enough to experience the early days of personal computing,” he recalls. “As a child, I had the opportunity to take part in the rapid growth of this exciting technological era.” He was also influenced by his father, whose keen entrepreneurial instincts led him to invest in the right technological tools to successfully navigate his businesses. “All of this afforded me a head start in computer and business literacy over many of my peers.”
After receiving a modem for his birthday the following year, Pehrson began assisting friends and neighbors with computer programming, maintenance and repair. “By the time I reached high school, I was able to leverage my skills to earn additional income by building computers and working at Egghead Software,” he says. “One could say that I had officially become a computer nerd! Then, during my senior year, I met another student, Marc, a like-minded individual with a passion for technology. Together, we founded a company that eventually grew into Design Technologies.”
A roadmap for the future
Small but mighty, Design Technologies proved to be successful. The company comprised two distinct divisions: computer parts distribution and computer and network consulting, Pehrson explains. “As a small company catering to the local Salt Lake City market, we recognized the scarcity of companies offering computer and network parts and solutions at the time, and we sought to address this gap. Given the size of the company, I assumed multiple responsibilities, with a primary focus on parts acquisition, accounting and consulting.”
While there are perks to self-employment, it also comes with a number of challenges, notes Pehrson, one of the biggest being obtaining affordable health insurance. “I found it difficult to find health insurance that was both comprehensive and affordable,” he says. “This issue became more important when I got engaged to my wife, Pepper. We looked forward to starting a family one day, and we knew health insurance was essential.” He happened to be consulting for Omnicare at the time and the company was ready to hire a full-time IT manager. “Omnicare provided an extensive benefits package, including healthcare, which ultimately led me to accept a position with the company.”
After about a decade working with Omnicare’s local medical supply division, the company decided to outsource his department, leaving Pehrson to choose between assuming a position in another department (which involved more travel time than he would have liked) or looking for a new job elsewhere. He had opted to look elsewhere when, as luck would have it, a managerial position at Omnicare became available. “I decided to remain with Omnicare in the managerial role,” he says. “Years later, in 2011, a small group of employees purchased Omnicare’s medical supply business and established Premier Medical Distribution. I was appointed the general manager at Premier.”
As general manager, Pehrson oversaw the day-to-day operations, ensuring they were carried out with efficiency, effectiveness and adherence to all applicable regulations and standards. “While wearing multiple hats as GM of a rapidly expanding company, I primarily dedicated my time to supporting our staff in delivering exceptional experiences for our customers,” he says.
In 2015, he was promoted to his current role, vice president of operations, and the company hired a new general manager to manage day-to-day operations. “This allowed me to focus on working closely with the owners’ group to develop a comprehensive long-term strategic plan for the company. Together, we addressed a wide range of critical areas, including finance, sales and marketing, customer service, regulatory compliance and identifying new business opportunities. By taking a collaborative approach to strategic planning, we developed a clear roadmap for the future of the company while positioning ourselves for sustained growth and success.”
Pehrson quickly learned to navigate not only the opportunities, but a number of industry challenges as well. “The pandemic had a profound impact on everyone,” he recalls. “However, as a small business, we found ourselves in a unique position to adapt quickly and provide essential PPE, vaccine testing and other medical supplies to a broad range of companies. We worked tirelessly to procure and manufacture products as quickly as possible, which required us to establish new business relationships and seek financial backing to support our growth.
“We had to make critical decisions in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks or months, in order to respond to the rapidly changing situation,” he continues. “Although the rapid growth was difficult, it was also highly rewarding. While we continue to deal with the ongoing effects of the pandemic and how it has affected the global supply chain, we are gradually returning to normal business operations.”
Caring for those who care
Working for a healthcare supplier, Pehrson and his team have grown to appreciate the industry’s continuously changing landscape. “Over the years, technology has played a critical role in providing solutions to our customers, helping them overcome challenges and streamlining the process of ordering supplies and equipment,” he says. “A decade ago, receiving orders via fax or phone was common; today, the majority of orders are transmitted through various technological channels, such as EDI, websites, APIs and others. Our customers expect us to integrate seamlessly with their systems to provide real-time inventory, track information and ensure instant access to invoices, past orders and other relevant data. As a result, we have invested significantly in technology – more so over the past three years than any other period in our company’s history – and the implementation has taken up a significant portion of my time.
“Although we may not deal directly with the same regulatory and reimbursement issues as our customers, we are significantly impacted by these issues due to our close relationship with them,” he points out. “If they face reimbursement issues, it may affect their ability to settle their bills; if they require better outcomes, we must provide products that meet their needs. Our primary focus is on caring for those who care.”
Sidebar:
Snakes, frogs and fish
Jake Pehrson looks seaward and forward
For as long as he can remember, Jake Pehrson, vice president of operations at Premier Medical Distribution, has been drawn to the water. “Growing up, I often brought home snakes, frogs and fish from the nearby canal,” he recalls. “I was always on the hunt for something new.” And, though his home state, Utah, had little to offer in the way of ocean life, one of his favorite childhood vacation memories was finding a starfish on a family trip to Oregon. His disappointment over being told he couldn’t bring his discovery home didn’t temper his enthusiasm. “Several years later, I stumbled on an ad in the back of Boys Life Magazine for seahorses, starfish, hermit crabs and pipefish, and I knew I had to have them!” He saved money working odd jobs around the house and in his neighborhood, and eventually sent away for the sea creatures. “Weeks later, on a cold winter day, the exotic animals arrived on my doorstep!”
That was just the beginning, he recalls. “Over the years, my love of marine life only intensified. I became a certified scuba diver and explored the depths of the ocean, marveling at the incredible beauty of the underwater world. My passion for marine life has become an integral part of who I am, and I remain grateful for the experiences that have shaped my life’s journey.”
After marrying his wife, Pepper, he set up a saltwater aquarium in their first condo. “I was driven by my passion to learn more about sea life and coral, but at that time, the information available in books and on the internet was limited and resources were scarce,” he says. “Looking to enhance my knowledge on the subject, I decided to join the local saltwater club.” As he became more aware that the world’s coral reefs were in peril, he sought an opportunity to focus on the commercial propagation and growth of corals through a new venture he started, Coral Planet. “In partnership with scientists and fellow hobbyists, we were able to develop techniques to reduce or eliminate the need to import corals for the aquarium trade. Our efforts saw the sale of these corals to public and private aquariums, pet stores and even medical research facilities for cancer treatments. Coral Planet remains a consulting business, committed to reef sustainability.”
During this time, Pehrson was approached by another club member, Professor Adam Blundell, to serve as the club’s vice president. “During our tenure, Professor Blundell and I implemented significant reforms to promote education on coral propagation, as well as coral and fish nutrition. We shared our discoveries through meetings and nationwide outreach via the internet and tradeshows. Although my involvement with the club is now limited to an advisory capacity, I continue to host their website and provide counsel when needed.”
The Bee Guy
When he’s not looking seaward, Pehrson enjoys spending time on his ranch – the Utah Bee Ranch, that is, which he started in 2014. “Beekeeping is a passion that holds a special place in my heart,” he says. “When I was 8 years old, I accompanied my grandfather on some errands one Saturday, and we stumbled upon a beekeeping store. The moment I went inside, I was captivated by the idea of keeping bees. After many years, I finally decided to fulfill my childhood dream and become a beekeeper.
“Today, I am known as Jake the Bee Guy. You might find me on a spring Saturday morning gathering wayward swarms in the act of saving the bees. Although Utah Bee Ranch is more of a hobby than a business, taking care of these incredible creatures brings me great joy.”
Problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability
Pehrson’s success, professionally and hobby wise, is grounded in his ability to communicate and work with others – skills he largely attributes to his longtime involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. “I actively participated in Cub and Boy Scouts during my childhood, which provided me with numerous valuable life experiences,” he says. “The BSA programs offered me opportunities to fulfill merit badge requirements, camp in the great outdoors, engage in exciting activities such as rappelling and river rafting, and acquire new skills. These experiences enriched me as a person, giving me a unique perspective on life that many never have the chance to experience.
“Although I had never intended to become a leader in the Boy Scouts, as I grew into adulthood, I felt a sense of duty to give back and provide young scouts with the same joyful experiences I had. My long-term involvement in the organization has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. As a leader in the Boy Scouts, I have honed my skills in leadership, communication and mentoring. I have acquired valuable life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and adaptability, which have enabled me to work effectively with teams and navigate complex situations in the workplace. The sense of responsibility and commitment instilled in me through scouting has also translated to my personal life, where I apply the same principles in my relationships and other areas.”