Health Care
Founder, president and CEO
Direct Supply | Milwaukee
Robert Hillis founded Milwaukee-based Direct Supply in 1985 as the first virtual distributor of medical equipment for nursing homes. Today, Direct Supply’s products are used in health care, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities throughout the U.S. The company is 100% employee owned.
Direct Supply partners with startups and universities through its Innovation & Technology Center, an applied research hub located on the campus of Milwaukee School of Engineering. The company is also active in advocating for national policy improvements for the senior living industry. Hillis has said the company has raised more than $50 million for various organizations to advocate in Washington, D.C. on these issues. About a third of Direct Supply employees voluntarily contribute 1% of their paychecks to support its industry advocacy efforts, which are directed through the Direct Supply Partners political action committee.
Hillis serves on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the board of regents of the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Education: Bachelor’s, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology; MBA, Indiana University