Humana Inc. is a 45-year-old Fortune 150 company based in Louisville, Kentucky. It markets health benefits. Over 11 million American consumers purchase health benefit coverage from Humana. The company is the largest Fortune 500 company in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with a market cap of over $9 billion dollars. Humana employs over 18,500 associates nationwide.

Doing business throughout the United States, Humana was a pioneer in infusing consumerism into its suite of services, thereby revolutionizing the way consumers choose and use their health benefits.

History

The company was founded by David Jones and Wendell Cherry as a nursing home company in 1961. Then known as Extendicare, the company became the largest nursing home company in the United States. Extendicare later moved into purchasing hospitals in 1968, becoming the world's largest hospital company in the 1980s.

In 1984, Humana began offering heath insurance.

In 1985, Humana brought the pioneering artificial heart research of Dr. Robert Jarvik and Dr. William DeVries to Louisville, creating the Humana Heart Institute.

In 1993, Humana spun-off its hospital operations from the health insurance operations. The new company was called Galen Health Care Inc. Soon after, Galen merged with Columbia/HCA.

In 2005, Humana entered into a business partnership with Richard Branson's Virgin.

Michael B. McCallister, a 32 year company veteran, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Humana. McCallister began his career in 1974 as a financial analyst in the company's finance department. In 2006, he was rated as one of the most successful CEOs in American business at creating shareholder value by Forbes Magazine.

David Jones, Jr. serves as chairman of the board of directors. Jones is the son of one of the company founders.

The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol HUM.

Philanthropy

The Humana Foundation gives millions of dollars away each year to non-profit organizations in the markets where the company does business. Humana has been recognized as one of the most generous companies in the Fortune 500 in giving to charity.

The Humana Foundation donated $1 million dollars to the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina.

Location

The Humana Building in Louisville, Kentucky is a well-known example of postmodern architecture; it was designed by Michael Graves and completed in 1985.

The Humana Building was named by Time Magazine as "Building of the Decade" for the 1980s.

In addition to its corporate headquarters building in Louisville, KY at 5th & Main Streets, Humana owns and occupies the Waterside Building at 1st & Main, and the Riverview Square at 2nd & Main. Humana recently announced its plan to lease space in the Waterfront Plaza East Tower in the 300 block of Main Street. The company also leases space in three other downtown buildings – National City in the 400 block of Main Street, the 515 Building on Market Street, and the ISB Building on Magazine Street. By mid-2006, Humana expects to employ approximately 6,900 associates in Louisville.

Humana recently undertook the historic preservation of a city block of several 19th Century buildings located beside its headquarters building.

Humana has purchased, or entered into agreements to purchase, all but two of the buildings on the south side of West Main Street between 5th and 6th streets – buildings in the same block, and adjacent to, the Humana Building. The three businesses that currently operate in those buildings will remain.

The company is working with preservation experts to ensure that the historic integrity of the block is maintained.

Trivia

• David Jones and Wendell Cherry, the company founders, decided to start the business during a game of golf in Louisville, KY. The founders each put up $1,000 as their initial investment.

• The company's tagline is "Guidance when you need it most."

• Humana associates serve as an internal test-market for the company's next generation of consumer services.

• David Jones Sr., formerly CEO and chair of the board of directors is currently leading the City of Park's initiative in Louisville. This effort is designed to acquire land to expand parks throughout Louisville, KY. He raised over $20 million for this effort in 2005-06 through his personal fundraising efforts.

External links

• Official website
• The Humana Building in Louisville, KY