Chattanooga-based Shared Health, Inc., a leader in the health information technology industry, has named health care industry veteran Justin L. Neece chief operating officer.

Mr. Neece, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Shared Health, oversees the sales and marketing, finance, client services, legal, security, privacy, compliance and risk management and contract management functions for the company.

A progressive executive, he has more than 20 years experience in the health care, automotive and retail industries, establishing a successful track record of improved operation, quality and financial performance throughout his career.

“As we position Shared Health for future growth in an era of health care reform, we are eager to leverage Justin’s expertise to enhance our place at the forefront of the HIT industry,” said Jana Skewes, chief executive officer of Shared Health. “He will help us build our smart tools for physicians, hospitals, patients and payers that lead to healthy outcomes, which form the cornerstone for smart business.”

Mr. Neece’s expertise in leadership development, operations, supply chain management, quality and process improvement are an integral part of Shared Health’s future growth strategy.

“I am excited to be part of Shared Health and its innovative product development team,” Mr. Neece said. “I am equally passionate about leading our operations to deliver knowledgeable data at the point of care, increasing quality outcomes for health care communities.”

Prior to joining Shared Health, Mr. Neece held a variety of leadership roles in optimizing operational performance, evaluating business financial strategies, guiding large capital expenditure projects, and running multi-location operations.

Mr. Neece most recently served as partner for The Viability Company, a Brentwood, Tn., health care consulting firm. There, he led several successful operations implementations with health care firms focused in health solutions, renal care, health information technology, and acute care hospitals.

Mr. Neece was previously general manager of Tyco International’s medical division, and has served as senior director of operations strategy for Dollar General Corp. He was also vice president of supply chain management with Manchester Tank & Equipment Company.

Mr. Neece, who was recently appointed to the board of the Tennessee Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, is an adjunct professor at Lipscomb University’s College of Business, and is a nationally-certified Six Sigma leader. He is a member of the Nashville Health Care Council, Leadership Healthcare of Tennessee and the Tennessee Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

He has served on the board of the Nashville Chapter of the Council of Supply Chain Professionals, and is lean certified through the Toyota Production System model.

He holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Tennessee Technological University and a master’s of business administration from Middle Tennessee State University.

Mr. Neece and his wife Michelle have three children and live in Franklin, Tn.