Employee #1: Tim Folan's 14-Year Journey at FrontRunnerHC

This July, Tim Folan is stepping away from his desk at FrontRunnerHC for a full month.

But don’t worry, he’s not leaving for good.  

After 14 years of helping build the company from the ground up, Tim is taking a well-earned, company-sponsored sabbatical. He’ll be visiting his mom’s place by the beach with his family, recharging in Costa Rica, and (because he just can’t get enough) teaming up with friend and FrontRunnerHC Founder and CEO John Donnelly (JD) to fish the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic. 

If you know Tim, that last part shouldn’t surprise you. Fishing is how this all began. 

Tim with a Mako Shark. Yikes, and wow!

From Bad Fish to FrontRunnerHC 

Back in the day, Tim ran a seasonal business out of Falmouth called Bad Fish Outfitters. It was part tackle shop, part charter operation, part logo gear retailer. He didn’t just sell the gear; he guided people on how to use it to catch something worthwhile. One of his regular customers? JD. The two struck up a friendship.  

As Tim sold his business, JD had just started a new one, originally called FrontRunnerMD. The year was 2010. There was an idea, a single desk, no chairs, but a milk crate or two, at Cordage Park in Plymouth, and a whiteboard. 

"Wanna help me build this thing?" JD asked. Tim didn’t need a title; he saw the vision and said yes. 

Wearing All the Hats 

The first six months were just Tim and JD. In the early days, Tim did a bit of everything: marketing, account management, operations, and even product development. Despite having no formal background in computer science, he was eager to learn and jumped at the opportunities presented.  

 “I just did everything I could to push the company forward.” 

That willingness to jump in and figure it out became a defining trait, not just for Tim but for the company culture. And it still echoes across the team today. 

The FrontRunnerHC Way 

There’s a hashtag that sometimes gets thrown around at FrontRunnerHC: #GSD, short for Get Stuff Done. It's more than a motto, it’s a mindset. 

"You rely on yourself. You have to have the courage to make decisions and move forward," Tim says. “Whatever it takes to get the job done.” 

At FrontRunner, autonomy isn’t just granted, it’s expected. And it’s what drew Tim to the role and kept him around. He never wanted to work in a place where bureaucracy slowed things down. What he found instead was a culture where people are encouraged to speak up, get involved, and effect real change. 

"If you want to be involved, get yourself involved. My voice is heard, and I appreciate that. I can directly impact the success of the company, and that matters to me." 

Fishing in the summer, camping in the winter! Is there anything Tim can't do?

A People-First Culture That Sticks 

Fourteen years is an eternity in tech and healthcare. The world has changed. The company has grown. But one thing has remained constant: the way FrontRunnerHC works to treat its people and its customers. 

“The flexibility has been wonderful. JD has always been really good about recognizing the importance of family," Tim shared. His short commute and work-life balance have always been perks, but it’s more than logistics. It’s about trust. And about knowing that when life happens, your company has your back.  

That’s not just a warm fuzzy idea at FrontRunnerHC, it’s policy. After 10 years with the company, employees are eligible for a month-long paid sabbatical. Tim is the first to take advantage of it. 

Ask anyone what keeps them at FrontRunner, and JD’s name is likely to come up. He’s a hands-on founder, but never a micromanager. He leads with passion, authenticity, and a drive that’s contagious. 

Tim puts it simply:

“JD is always focused on cutting through red tape to make the best experience possible, for employees and customers.” 

That experience matters. Because while the company culture is strong, it’s not insular. It extends to the clients FrontRunnerHC supports. In an industry often bogged down by inefficiency, the company delivers tools that help labs and healthcare providers move faster, get paid quicker, and focus on what matters most. 

"What we do is meaningful. We have a great product and help our customers. I don’t have to sell something no one wants. I’m offering something that makes money in an easy way." 

Even in a support role during sales calls, Tim emphasizes that he's not a salesperson, not in the traditional sense. "Sales is a dirty word," he jokes. What makes him effective is simple: honesty, expertise, and a genuine belief in the product. 

Heading Back to the Water 

When Tim heads out for his sabbatical, he won’t be logging in unless it’s absolutely critical. He’s earned that time. He’ll be soaking up sun in North Falmouth with his mom. And then, Costa Rica. 

And yes, he and JD will be back on a boat again, chasing big fish and cold beers on Martha's Vineyard. It’s more than nostalgia. It’s a reminder that roots matter. That relationships matter. 

FrontRunnerHC didn’t just start with a business plan or a hiring strategy. It started with a conversation. With two people who liked solving problems, being on the water, and building something meaningful. 

Fourteen years later, it’s still about that. 

FrontRunnerHC's employee number one, Tim Folan, is still going strong, and the future is bright!

See Ya in August! 

Before signing off, Tim made one thing clear in his OOO message: 

“I’ll ensure all my responsibilities are covered before I leave and will be reachable for any critical matters. I look forward to returning refreshed in August.” 

That’s Tim. Committed, dependable, and ready to GSD, even on his way to the beach. 

From an idea and a whiteboard to a growing, thriving company with a culture people want to stay in for the long haul, Tim’s story is FrontRunnerHC’s story.