Marshall University Athletics
2023-24 Champions Advisory Board Roster
Roster
Joda Burgess
Joda Burgess grew up in Kenova WV where he was the typical “Coach’s Son” and spent the majority of his free time in the gym putting up jump shots. He graduated from Ceredo-Kenova HS in 1997, where was 2-time Class A player of the year and 3-time First Team All State. He was recruited hard Nationally and had scholarship offers from Indiana, Penn State, Virginia Tech and many other notable programs. However, he wanted to stay home and play for the Herd where his family could be close to his side. He knew he wanted to venture into business after college and thought staying in Huntington would help his cause with marketability and it could create more value for local recognition. He graduated from Marshall in 2001 with a Sports Management and Marketing degree. After his 4 years with the Herd he finished 6th all time in games played (111), 2nd all time in 3 point field goals made (210) and attempts (541) and 3rd all time in FT Percentage (84.8%). He was selected to the Mid-American Conference All Freshman Team in 1998.
He founded WeCare Medical in 2004 alongside his business partner JB Blankenship and took on the role as CEO. They took the company from a startup with no employees to one of the most well respected, largest Independent HME companies in the country by revolving their business model around outcomes based service and data, investing heavily in Respiratory devices. They decided to sell the company in 2021. The company served hundreds of thousands of patients across multiple states. With 14 locations and 350+ employees they felt like the time to sell the company had come. They sold the business to the largest Publicly Traded HME company in the country. During their time at WeCare they knew there would come a day they would want to off load the company because of the consolidation within the health insurance market and changes in government policy. With knowing that, they diversified their business portfolio during their time at WeCare and started strategically deploying capital investments with their leadership and guidance in new ventures.
Oley and James Executive Management, started in 2016, is the management company that provides leadership to their commonly owned companies that house HR, Financial, Procedural and Information Technology Roles that work for those companies in creating consistency within the organization without duplicating staff.
Paving Solutions, a Paving, Asphalt, and Concrete Contracting company started in 2016 in Huntington WV. Joda and JB brought in Rick Corns as an industry experienced partner when organizing the company. Paving Solutions delivers high quality residential, commercial and municipality concrete, asphalt paving, striping, pavement repair and maintenance services.
Greenleaf Environmental, started in 2015, is A Bio Hazardous Hauling and Treatment company that picks up, treats, and disposes of Medical Waste for Hospitals, Doctors offices, Veterinary clinics, and other healthcare facilities. With a state-of-the-art treatment plant stationed and permitted in Grayson Ky is only 1 of 3 permitted facilities in the state of Kentucky. One of the few companies nationally that controls our healthcare communities Bio Hazardous waste from the cradle to the Grave. Greenleaf also provides Paper Shredding solutions along with OSHA, HIPPA, and Active Shooter programs for facilities. With transfer stations in Huntington Wv, Lexington Ky, Morgantown Wv, and Charlotte NC. Greenleaf has become a Regional Based Leader with Innovative Technology that has emerged in the space it serves. Currently servicing customers in 13 states.
A Real Estate Holdings company, B&B Holdings, was formed in 2007 and holds Commercial and Residential Real Estate Investments across 3 states.
AegisInsure was created in 2021 with Tyler Brown, a former Herd Football Member, and Elijah Wellman a WV Football Player of the Year and WVU standout. AegisInsure is An insurance based consulting firm that brings industry-leading healthcare solutions, technologies, and insurance products to businesses.
West Virginia Labs, which was created in 2020 during the pandemic and originally created to handle the high demand in COVID Testing and access which since has evolved into a innovative high complexity medical laboratory that is determined to improve health outcomes and the delivery of care within local communities based in Charleston WV.
Joda loves having the opportunity to serve his University and Athletic Department where he got his start and where his heart will always reside. He currently lives in Ashland, KY and was lucky enough to meet his fiancé, Kara Adkins of Lavalette, WV in October of 2020. He has 4 children, Jaxon Burgess-24, twins Reagan & Ryder Burgess-14, and his youngest Remington Burgess-8. Additionally, he coaches his youngest sons AAU team, Team Loaded WV 2028.
