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Kendrick Conway, manager of investments and cash management at BlueCross, has an eye for detail. Working in finance in our treasury department, that’s an important skill. Managing investments means early mornings and an eye on the news.

“My morning starts about 5:15; I log on and check our accounts, investments, payments that are going out and how things look compared to our financial forecast over the next 31 days,” Kendrick explains.

“You have to make sure claims and taxes are being paid correctly and respond quickly to any snags to ensure the money goes where it’s needed on time.”

The stakes aren’t exactly low when acting as a responsible steward of member dollars, but Kendrick keeps a cool head under the pressure with skills he learned in the United States Navy. 

From foreign shores to foreign currencies

Growing up in Northern Mississippi, Kendrick always had an interest in finance and the goal to go to college. But a college education wasn’t affordable for his family.

“I knew the military would pay for my education, and many in my family had served in the Army,” Kendrick remembers. “I didn’t really want to be ‘in the field,’ so to speak, so I joined the Navy so I could be on the water.”

Kendrick enlisted and was sent to boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill.

“A lot of sailors call that base ‘Great Mistakes’ because the weather can be so harsh,” Kendrick laughs. “When I got there, it was close to 100 degrees, and when I left in November it was down to the 20s and very windy. You got both ends of the spectrum.”

Kendrick was later transferred to Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, training alongside explosive ordnance disposal teams and Navy SEALs as a Beachmaster.

“Beachmasters deploy alongside Marines,” Kendrick explains. “We dressed like them, were equipped like them, and were responsible for getting thousands of them from the ship to the shore and back again safely.”

The job involved complex logistics and coordination with SEAL teams, Marines and naval commanders, and Kendrick would spend six months at sea at a time during his three years of active service.

“I really loved my time in the Navy,” Kendrick says. “I got to see Spain, Italy, Greece, and even got to tour Jerusalem thanks to the Navy.”

Upon leaving the Navy, Kendrick earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and then moved to Chattanooga, attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for his Master’s in Finance. It was there that he would meet the woman who would become his wife.

“I worked in a cellphone store in the mall during the day and helped her with her phone plan,” Kendrick remembers. “The second time she came in I asked her out and said, ‘You know you’re going to marry me one day,’ and she just looked at me like I was crazy, but she went on the date anyway!”

After moving with his young family back to the Memphis area, Kendrick’s career in finance eventually led him to work at a major multi-national company, managing investments in different currencies and monitoring markets all over the world.

“It was very demanding,” Kendrick admits. “You’re constantly watching the news and making adjustments, while having calls with colleagues at 3 in the morning because it’s the afternoon in China or Japan.”

Investing in BlueCross

During COVID, Kendrick adjusted to a remote working life and the balance that it offered for his family. But as his company began requiring employees to return to the office, he started looking for other opportunities that fit his family dynamic and that would enhance his leadership skills.

“I didn’t even realize at first that BlueCross was remote-first when I applied,” Kendrick admits.  “My wife and I were considering the possibility of moving back to Chattanooga but were pleasantly surprised to learn during the interviews that we wouldn’t have to.”

Working in a not-for-profit health care environment had its unique challenges, like learning a whole new slate of acronyms and navigating regulatory audits, but he’s grateful to have the confidence and discipline that the Navy taught him.

“The experience I got in the military is just priceless,” Kendrick says. “In my job I have to be able to communicate concisely and politely with people from all areas of the company to explain issues and find solutions, and that’s something that I empower my team to do here, as well.”

Taking stock of what matters most

Working for BlueCross helps Kendrick focus on the most valuable thing to him: time with his family.

“I love watching sports and swimming,” Kendrick says. “But when I’m not working, I’m often outside throwing the football around with my son.”

His kids have inherited Kendrick’s head for numbers, with his daughter working in software engineering and his son interested in mechanical engineering.

“They’re pretty competitive with each other about who’s a better engineer or student,” Kendrick laughs. “I just want them to do what makes them happy, like I’ve been able to.”