Robert Finch has established a multifaceted career built on leadership, public service, and organizational development. His professional experience spans healthcare administration, human resources management, and state government work. Over the course of more than fifteen years in executive healthcare leadership, he has held several positions that required strategic thinking, operational oversight, and effective team management. His career reflects a consistent focus on improving systems while supporting employees and the communities served by the organizations he leads.
Finch’s work in human resources and healthcare leadership has allowed him to implement policies that strengthen workforce engagement and organizational performance. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and long-term planning. Through these efforts, he has helped organizations grow, adapt to changing demands, and better serve their communities.
Spiritual Roots and Calling to Ministry
Faith has been a guiding influence throughout Finch’s life. His involvement with the church began during childhood when he joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens, Georgia, at the age of nine. Early participation in church life helped shape his sense of responsibility and commitment to service. In recognition of his dedication, he was ordained as a deacon in 1988.
Finch served in that role at Mt. Zion until he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1996. After moving, he joined Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, where he continued his involvement in the deacon ministry and remained active in the congregation.
In 2009, Finch experienced an important turning point when he accepted his call to preach the Gospel. During this time, he received mentorship from Rev. Abraham Mosley, the senior pastor of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Under Rev. Mosley’s guidance, he developed his pastoral leadership and served as an associate pastor. His ministry later expanded when he accepted the call to serve Billups Grove Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia, beginning his leadership there on October 12, 2019.
Executive Leadership in Healthcare
Finch’s healthcare career includes several influential executive roles that highlight his expertise in human resources and organizational development. He served as Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia. In this position, he managed a professional team responsible for recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, employee relations, and performance management. His leadership strengthened internal systems and improved employee engagement across the organization.
During his tenure at Coffee Regional Medical Center, Finch supervised retirement plan conversions and managed major self-insured benefits programs. Through careful evaluation and cycle audits, he reduced insurance costs and improved the efficiency of benefits management. He also worked to lower prescription costs by updating pharmacy benefit strategies and improving formulary management. In addition, he led diversity and inclusion initiatives and redesigned employee recognition programs and workplace policies to create a more supportive environment for staff.
Robert Finch later served as Interim Executive Director at Mercy Health Center in Athens, Georgia. In that role, he oversaw strategic planning, facilities management, donor relations, human resources operations, and financial accountability. He also served as Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. There, he supervised departments including benefits administration, employee relations, recruitment, compliance, learning and development, employee health, and chaplain services. His leadership helped reduce voluntary employee turnover by improving pay practices and strengthening conflict management strategies.
Expanding Opportunities Through Education and Youth Programs
Beyond healthcare administration, Finch has also contributed to education and community development. At Charlotte School of Law in North Carolina, he served as Coordinator for Corporate and Diversity Outreach. His responsibilities included recruiting minority faculty and students, as well as building partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities. Through targeted outreach strategies, he helped increase enrollment and expand educational access for underrepresented students.
Finch also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Athens. In this role, he supervised a team of employees and volunteers while expanding youth programming throughout the city. Partnerships with the Athens Housing Authority and the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government enabled programs to reach public housing communities across Athens. Within two years, enrollment doubled, academic support programs were expanded, and weekend programming was introduced. Several million dollars were secured for these initiatives through local government partnerships.
Earlier in his career, Finch served in the Georgia state government as Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader and as an aide to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He has also contributed to higher education as an adjunct instructor at Athens Technical College, teaching courses such as human resources management, leadership, performance management, organizational behavior, and business ethics.
Civic Involvement and Academic Credentials
Throughout his career, Robert Finch has remained actively involved in civic and professional organizations. His affiliations have included leadership roles with the American Red Cross Northeast Georgia Chapter, the Business Management Advisory Board at Athens Technical College, and Family Connections Community in Schools. He has also served on the boards of the Foodbank of Northeast Georgia, Mercy Health Center, and Athens Rotary International.
Finch has supported the Athens Area Human Relations Council for more than 24 consecutive years by helping fund scholarships for college-bound students. This long-standing commitment reflects his dedication to education and community development.
Finch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Business Administration from Albany State University, where he was recognized as a Regents Award recipient. He later earned a Doctor of Law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law as a Governor’s Scholar. In addition, he holds the SHRM Certified Professional credential and the AAMC Healthcare Diversity Executive certification, demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence and leadership in human resources and healthcare diversity initiatives.
