George Paz is a busy man. If you’ve seen any news recently you know what I mean. Over the last few months, this President and CEO of one the nation’s largest benefit managers has been battling to take over a rival twice its size.

That acquisition didn’t take place. But what did happen might be even more significant for Express Scripts and its leader who you will meet here tonight. That’s because George Paz says presenting Express Scripts’ offer to take over Caremark allowed him to showcase what makes his company’s success “significant” Since December, Mr. Paz and his management team have been taking their mission statement to investors, to labor movements, and to coalitions across the country. And to many, Express Scripts’ ability to deliver on that mission of making the use of prescription drugs safer and more affordable to customers is what makes George Paz the leader you see today.

George Paz joined Express Scripts in 1998. He became president only five short years later. But by that time he had already overseen four significant acquisitions for his company…business moves which have contributed to its exceptional growth. That includes an annual revenue boost from $1.2 billion to approximately $15 billion.

But don’t expect George Paz to stop there. He says his St. Louis-based company with more than 50 million members will continue to be a leader in its industry. How? By engaging patients to become active health care consumers and by working with Congress to create a biogenerics pathway. That’s a move Express Scripts says could unlock billions of dollars in savings for the nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to Webster University, CEO and President of Express Scripts…Mr. George Paz.

"Webster must stay on the forefront of innovation by demonstrating the audacity and courage to see things differently. "

- Dr. Benjamin Akande