After four decades of dedicated service, Mr. Ronald Harris retired from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee on May 1. Widely respected for his leadership, vision and heart for people, Harris leaves behind a legacy that helped shape the company’s culture and set a national example for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Mr. Harris served as vice president of Corporate Workforce Diversity, where he played a pivotal role in aligning diversity and inclusion with the company’s overall corporate strategy. Under his leadership, BlueCross earned numerous accolades, including recognition from Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity and Best Large Employers. The company was also named among the Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign and Disability:In, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide.
“God is the foundation of my life,” Mr. Harris said in an exclusive interview with the Chattanooga News Chronicle following his retirement. “I’ve always trusted the Lord to lead me. And when it was time to retire, I felt like God was leading me to other things.”
Those “other things” now include the pastorate. Mr. Harris has been called to serve as senior pastor of Mt. Paran Baptist Church in Chattanooga–a calling he embraces with both humility and anticipation.
“In every chapter of my life, God has led me,” Mr. Harris shared. “This wasn’t something I saw coming, but I’m really excited and thankful to give back and serve His people.”
Throughout his 40-year tenure at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Mr. Harris became known not only for his professional achievements, but also for his deep commitment to mentoring and empowering others.
“Certainly, I’ve been blessed beyond belief,” he said. “One of the things I’ve always tried to do is send the elevator back down so others could benefit from the positions I’ve been blessed with. It’s all about community.”
Mr. Harris joined BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in 1986, and held numerous leadership roles with increasing responsibility. Before his time at BlueCross, he worked as personnel director for Central Soya. He co-founded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Diversity Alliance and became a frequent speaker on workplace inclusion, delivering expert insight at conferences and forums across the country.
His work earned national recognition, including the 2017 Legacy Award from the National Organization for Workforce Diversity and the 2018 Julie Baumgardner Leadership Award from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. He was also recognized by the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute as one of the top five men advocating for women in senior positions.
Mr. Harris has been featured in USA Today, African American Career World magazine, Equal Opportunity Publications, and various other media outlets. His vision, humility and faith have left a lasting impact not only on his company but also on the wider public.
He continues to contribute to the community through his board memberships and also has a more than 60-year association with Chattanooga’s Second Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as an associate pastor. He is married to Rosalind Crutcher Harris and is the father of two children: the late Jerron M. Harris and daughter Shronda S. Harris.
As Mr. Harris enters this new chapter, his legacy remains an enduring example of faith, service, and leadership.
“God’s blessings have always preceded whatever I’ve done,” he said. “And I trust they always will.”
A formal retirement reception for Mr. Harris was held on May 24.