Steve Francis (Businessman)
Encyclopedia
Steven C. Francis is a businessman, entrepreneur, former state legislative leader, philanthropist, chairman and co-founder of AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AHS).
. Francis' father was employed in the farming industry, and his mother stayed home to raise five boys. He attended the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978. Francis offset the cost of college by working as a dishwasher, bus boy, stock room worker, and motel desk clerk. He has lived in San Diego with his wife Gayle for more than twenty years, where they have raised their two children.
Francis’s tenure in the Nevada legislature was marked by his efforts to seek public policy reform. He authored and passed legislation that successfully outlawed the sale and use of armor-piercing “cop-killer” bullets in the state and which was widely praised by members of law enforcement. Francis made news headlines by introducing legislation to reform the state’s mental health system, establishing a state commission on mental health to protect Nevada’s residents. Francis also sponsored a bill which strengthened tenants’ rights to protect renters from unfair landlord practices.
Francis unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2005 as a fiscal conservative against former San Diego Chief of Police Jerry Sanders
and Councilwoman Donna Frye
. Francis ran again in 2008 against incumbent Jerry Sanders.
, founded AMN Healthcare, a nurse staffing business, at their kitchen table.In 1987 after completing his legislative service in Nevada, Francis and Gayle relocated their small business and settled in San Diego. As AMN grew in its early years, Francis and Gayle oversaw the company’s development. From 1990 to 2005, Francis served as AMN’s Chief Executive Officer and served as the Chairman of the Board of AMN Healthcare from 2005 to 2008.
During the 22 years of AMN’s history, the company transitioned from a private enterprise to a national public company with over 2,000 corporate employees as of the end of 2006, with an average of over 7,000 nurse and allied healthcare professionals providing staffing services to over 2,000 healthcare facility clients. Today, AMN is the nation’s largest healthcare staffing firm and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 2006, Francis founded the San Diego Institute for Policy Research
, a non-partisan organization that generates economic and policy research, fostering solutions to improve the San Diego region.
, and has served in various leadership roles with the American Red Cross
, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
San Diego-Imperial Council and as Corporate Director of the Year by the Corporate Directors Forum.
In the January 2008 Steve Francis was chosen as "One of the 50 People to Watch in 2008" By San Diego Magazine
http://www.sandiegomagazine.com.
Biography
Steve Francis was born 1954 in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Francis' father was employed in the farming industry, and his mother stayed home to raise five boys. He attended the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978. Francis offset the cost of college by working as a dishwasher, bus boy, stock room worker, and motel desk clerk. He has lived in San Diego with his wife Gayle for more than twenty years, where they have raised their two children.
Government Experience
Francis pursued his interest in public service by running for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly in 1982. At the age of 28, Francis was elected as one of the youngest assemblymen to ever enter the state house. His Republican colleagues elected him Majority Leader in 1985, a position he held until 1987.Francis’s tenure in the Nevada legislature was marked by his efforts to seek public policy reform. He authored and passed legislation that successfully outlawed the sale and use of armor-piercing “cop-killer” bullets in the state and which was widely praised by members of law enforcement. Francis made news headlines by introducing legislation to reform the state’s mental health system, establishing a state commission on mental health to protect Nevada’s residents. Francis also sponsored a bill which strengthened tenants’ rights to protect renters from unfair landlord practices.
Francis unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2005 as a fiscal conservative against former San Diego Chief of Police Jerry Sanders
Jerry Sanders (politician)
Gerald Robert "Jerry" Sanders is an American politician, Mayor of San Diego, California, and former Chief of Police.-Personal life:...
and Councilwoman Donna Frye
Donna Frye
Donna Frye was a member of the San Diego City Council, representing District 6. Her term ended December 6 2010.Frye was born in 1952 in Pennsylvania, the second of three children...
. Francis ran again in 2008 against incumbent Jerry Sanders.
Business Entrepreneurship
In 1985, Francis and his wife Gayle, a registered nurseRegistered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
, founded AMN Healthcare, a nurse staffing business, at their kitchen table.In 1987 after completing his legislative service in Nevada, Francis and Gayle relocated their small business and settled in San Diego. As AMN grew in its early years, Francis and Gayle oversaw the company’s development. From 1990 to 2005, Francis served as AMN’s Chief Executive Officer and served as the Chairman of the Board of AMN Healthcare from 2005 to 2008.
During the 22 years of AMN’s history, the company transitioned from a private enterprise to a national public company with over 2,000 corporate employees as of the end of 2006, with an average of over 7,000 nurse and allied healthcare professionals providing staffing services to over 2,000 healthcare facility clients. Today, AMN is the nation’s largest healthcare staffing firm and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 2006, Francis founded the San Diego Institute for Policy Research
San Diego Institute for Policy Research
The San Diego Institute for Policy Research was established in 2006 in San Diego by businessman and entrepreneur Steve Francis. SDI formulates and promotes high quality economic, policy, and public-opinion research so as to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments in San Diego...
, a non-partisan organization that generates economic and policy research, fostering solutions to improve the San Diego region.
Philanthropy and Community Leadership
As an active member of the San Diego community, Francis has worked with numerous non-profit and charitable organizations. He is a long-serving board member and current Chairman of Father Joe’s Villages St. Vincent de Paul, which provides transitional housing for low-income families, rehabilitative services for the homeless, and residential and educational services for homeless teens. Francis is also Vice-Chairman for the San Diego YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, and has served in various leadership roles with the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
Awards and honors
In 2007, Francis was honored as a Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association/San Diego Father’s Day Council, as Patriot of the Year by the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
San Diego-Imperial Council and as Corporate Director of the Year by the Corporate Directors Forum.
In the January 2008 Steve Francis was chosen as "One of the 50 People to Watch in 2008" By San Diego Magazine
San Diego Magazine
San Diego Magazine is a monthly publication concerning life in the San Diego region. This is the city’s longest running lifestyle publication and has continued to prosper and evolve throughout its 60-year history...
http://www.sandiegomagazine.com.