Simon Keith, chief operating officer of the Nevada Donor Network, underwent a heart transplant more than 25 years ago. He played collegiate soccer at UNLV and, just three years after his surgery, was drafted first overall into the Major Indoor Soccer League. In 2011, he founded the Simon Keith Foundation, which raises awareness of organ donation and educates transplant recipients.
What is the best business advice you’ve received, and whom did it come from?
Get the worm. Rising early and arriving at the office before anyone else arrives has proven to be a great strategy for me over the years. Today I arrive at my office around 6 a.m. and don’t see another soul for at least an hour or two. This quiet time allows me to think and strategize the day’s events. By the time others have shown up, I have cleared my desk, cleared my mind and feel energized. I learned this from watching a former boss, and it was immensely successful for her.
How did you become involved with the Nevada Donor Network?
I did a presentation, as part of the Simon Keith Foundation public speaking campaign, to a group of organ donation professionals from the West Coast a few years back. My marketing team handed out surveys, and more than one came back indicating: “You don’t know what you are talking about.” I set out to become an expert. I joined the board of the Nevada Donor Network. From there I learned I could play a bigger role in increasing organ, tissue and cornea donation in Nevada. Timing was excellent; the new CEO Joe Ferreira saw value in my experience, so I jumped in full time. The future is now bright for the once mostly underperforming organization.
The most rewarding aspect is that people’s lives have been saved. More moms are off dialysis, more dads have received hearts, or lungs or other organs and have lived to see their children grow, and more kids have received that most-needed gift.
You are one of the longest-living organ transplant recipients in the world. How have you kept so healthy?
Public perception as it relates to organ transplants tends to be one of two things: transplants either don’t work and people die quickly, or transplants work instantly and people live happily ever after. The truth lies somewhere in between. I have had my own theory for years, and I take very good care of my body. My wife has been a major key to my health. She has an incredible way of keeping me balanced and knows what I need and when I need it. She is almost psychic in her ability to manage my health.
My cardiologist, Dr. Jacquez Lamothe in Las Vegas, is another big reason I am so healthy. He allows me to push my body without limits and even try new things that may fall on the outer edges of reasonableness. We have had a successful partnership for more than 20 years.
Never one for moderation, I also work out a ton — running, lifting, hiking, biking, golf … whatever I can do to stay in reasonable shape.
What is the biggest misconception you hear about organ donation?
The biggest myth that I hear most often is that doctors won’t “try and save your life” if they know you are an organ donor. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The way the system is set up doesn’t even allow that to be a remote possibility. The Organ Procurement Organization (enters the scenario only after a patient has been declared brain dead. The system is very clear and federally regulated on how OPOs can operate.
What are you reading right now?
I mostly read the Harvard Business Review. I’m also reading the biography of Sir Alex Ferguson, the former coach of Manchester United. This is an amazing study of one of the most successful leaders in any business. His straight-ahead, no-nonsense approach appeals to my business mind.
What do you do after work?
I spend a lot of time working on the Simon Keith Foundation, which supports youths who desire a return to sports and activity. Through keynote speaking engagements throughout the United States and Canada, I have mostly self-funded the foundation. It has become a passion of mine, and there is nothing in my business life that has come close to the satisfaction I get from seeing a kid, who faced the ultimate test in life, getting back to their sport and being a kid again.
I also spend a lot of time with my family.
Blackberry, iPhone or Android?
IPhone — Steve Jobs was an organ recipient, after all.
Describe your management style.
Very relationship driven. Supporting people unconditionally and always being truthful to everyone even when it may be difficult. I spend part of every day visiting in person with as many people as I can within the organization.
On the flip side, I am an extremely driven businessman who has a straight-ahead approach to business. I like to push people and organizations to think outside their comfort zone and encourage open, honest thinking.
Where do you see yourself and your company in 10 years?
The Nevada Donor Network has transformed itself in the business of organ, tissue and cornea donation over the past two years. We recover more organ donors per capita than anywhere else in the world. This has led to international collaboration, which will become a large focus of the company.
There are exciting technological advances in the field of organ regeneration, preservation and even the potential to “grow” organs using stem cell therapy. These advances will provide a dynamic and rapidly changing environment for organ donation and transplantation. The Nevada Donor Network is positioning itself to be a leader in these types of technologies.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Excuses.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I love playing hockey … and maybe dropping the gloves every once in a while. Must appeal to my Canadian sensibilities.