HFI Smartcare Consulting Services, LLC

Gene E. Earley, Jr., MA, FACHE

President & CEO – HFI Smartcare Consulting Services, LLC

Mr. Earley is a seasoned healthcare executive, Veteran, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of leadership experience across hospitals, community health systems, health insurance organizations, disease management programs, and government healthcare. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), he has directed and managed health plan operations with budgets exceeding $200 million, led large-scale call centers and claims administrative services, and developed provider networks that advanced cost-effective healthcare delivery and operational excellence across multiple states.         

Mr. Earley is President and CEO of HFI Smartcare Consulting Services, LLC, and also serves as Senior Health Care Consultant for the firm that partners with organizations to improve healthcare strategy, strengthen provider relations, optimize contract and claims operations, and develop sustainable community health solutions with emphasis on Social Determinants of Health (SoDH). His 

firm provides expertise in health plan operations, working with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), introducing behavioral health initiatives, and evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes while ensuring financial stability and operational efficiency.

Previously, Mr. Earley served for fourteen years as Department Director, Health Care Services for Hillsborough County, Florida, where he managed the nationally recognized Hillsborough County Health Care Plan (HCHCP). He directed healthcare services for more than 14,000 members, coordinated with four large health systems, major FQHCs, thirteen hospitals, 119 third-party vendors, and oversaw more than $200 million annually in claims and over 119 contracted services. His leadership modernized billing, improved appeals processes, introduced Social Determinants of Health initiatives, expanded behavioral health initiatives, and strengthened utilization management in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB).

Earlier in his career, Mr. Earley held senior executive roles with Hillsborough County, APS Healthcare, launching statewide Medicaid disease management programs in Ohio and Missouri; TRICARE with Humana Military Healthcare Services and Anthem Alliance, where he oversaw multi-state TRICARE operations serving over one million members under a $4 billion government contract; and as a healthcare consultant at the Diabetes Institutes. His military service includes leadership roles at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Office of the Attending Physician to Congress while serving as a U.S. Navy officer.

Mr. Earley holds a Master of Arts in Management and Supervision with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in  Health Care Services from Southern Illinois University, where he graduated with University Honors. 

He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal for his role as Director of Medical Planning for the 1989 U.S. Presidential Inauguration Swearing-in Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., among other awards for excellence in healthcare administration while serving in the Navy as a 

Naval Officer at the U. S. Capitol in Washing, D.C.

An educator and mentor, Mr. Earley, has served as a Collaborative Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida, guiding future healthcare leaders. His professional affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Executives (Fellow), the Healthcare Financial Management 

Association (HFMA), and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Throughout his career, Mr. Earley is recognized as a leader who is dedicated to improving access to care, strengthening community health networks, and developing innovative, sustainable solutions for the evolving healthcare landscape.