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Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with James Tongate, BeneLynk’s Vice President of Government and Military Relations, to learn more about his unique dual role at BeneLynk and the Kentucky National Guard. With over three decades of military experience and a wealth of knowledge from his time working with health plans, James offers a valuable perspective on leadership, building relationships, and the importance of supporting Veterans and military families. In this interview, he shares how his experiences have shaped his work at BeneLynk and the impact of those efforts on both the military community and the organization.
Me: Can you tell me a little bit about your dual role with BeneLynk and the Kentucky National Guard?
James: At BeneLynk, I oversee all VA government relations and military affairs. I focus on maintaining and strengthening our relationships with the VA, managing accounts, and building new relationships. On the military side, my title is 10th Kentucky State Command Chief Master Sergeant. I serve as the Kentucky Adjutant General’s key enlisted advisor and advocate, sharing the responsibility of overseeing the operational effectiveness of 1,250 Airmen and 6,600 Soldiers as the State Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) alongside the State Command Sergeant Major. I handle their readiness, training and development, health, morale, and welfare.
Me: How does your travel to VA facilities across the country deepen our partnership with VA facilities and impact the military community?
James: I have visited 31 states and hundreds of VA health facilities. The feedback I consistently hear is that we’re the only organization that makes the effort to meet them face-to-face and personally recognize the great work they’re doing. I take the time to share year-over-year metrics with them and show them how their efforts are positively impacting Veterans.
There have been many moments when teams have been moved to tears because they don’t realize the profound impact their work has. What they might see as a mundane task, like processing and sending us medical charts, touches so many lives. The VA staff, many of whom are military spouses or Veterans themselves, find it rewarding to hear how their work is making a real difference.
My travels have built strong, meaningful relationships with the largest healthcare system in the U.S., so they don’t see us as just a vendor but as a trusted partner.
Me: Can you tell us more about your specific goals in your role at BeneLynk and how they align with your position in the Kentucky National Guard?
James: I’ve been in the military since 1986, starting with active-duty Air Force. After a break, I joined the Army National Guard as a soldier, and in 1997, I transitioned to the Air National Guard, where I worked as a loadmaster on C-130s. I held that position until coming into my current role. I went straight into the military after high school, and it’s truly shaped who I am today. Many of the skills and lessons I learned in the military have directly influenced how I approach my role here.
I spent 18 years at a health plan and some time at Marsh McLennan before coming to BeneLynk, where I’ve been for about five and a half years now. Both my military career and my professional roles at these companies have grown side by side.
My role is all about building relationships. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting over 56 countries with the military and working with people from all kinds of cultures. Meeting leaders from diverse backgrounds has given me invaluable experience in negotiation and communication, especially with senior leaders and government officials, including the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Chiefs of Staff themselves, and hospital executive leaders who manage VA facilities.
These experiences in the military have prepared me well for my role here at BeneLynk. I like to think of myself as a connector. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the smartest person in the room, but I know a lot of people, and I have a knack for bringing them together. I think that’s my superpower.
Me: Why is it important that BeneLynk hire Veterans and military families?
James: The structure and discipline that Veterans learn in the military, along with the experiences they've had, make them outstanding employees. This applies to military spouses as well. When a servicemember is deployed, their spouse has to handle everything at home, taking care of their household and families while often managing their own career and education. You'll hear many Veterans say that military spouses don’t get enough credit for all they do. And let's not forget about the National Guard and Reserves. Those folks are juggling multiple jobs, sometimes schooling, and family responsibilities - just like I have.
Beyond their professional skills, Veterans and military families understand the psychological challenges of service. The weight of long deployments, the red tape of military systems, and the constant need for adaption shape their perspectives. The shared experience between Veterans, military spouses, and our clients’ members is a big reason we hire Veterans. They understand the challenges our Veteran members face, and that connection gives them credibility. Their experience is invaluable to our mission and to helping Veterans get the support they need.
Me: How does BeneLynk support Veterans within the company, both in their careers and in adapting to the civilian workplace?
James: It really started from the top. From day one, Sean Libby and Paul Frenkel made it clear that they were serious about hiring Veterans and wanted me to help educate the team about how best to build a process to do so. Since then, I've been working closely with HR and operational supervisors to provide more context around hiring Veterans and military spouses. BeneLynk has really stepped up in this area, more than any other company I've been with, even when we were still a smaller organization. We proudly sponsor events that support Veterans and military spouses, and I think the employer awards we've earned over the years speak for themselves. For five straight years, we've earned the "Best of the Best Employer" award, just to name one. We’ve always been committed to hiring Veterans and military spouses, and it's been recognized nationally.
Me: What unique strengths or perspectives do you bring to BeneLynk from your experience in the military?
James: When I think about the growth of both my military and professional careers, it really humbles me. I don’t think it has changed who I am, but it has given me more perspective because I started on the phones at a health plan. I recognize where I came from and that we're all part of a bigger picture - all working towards the same mission or goal. For me, it always comes back to helping people. Whether it's through defending our nation or helping people be the best they can be. That’s my top priority, and it’s something that’s been cultivated through my military experience.
Me: Could you share an example of how connecting directly with VA staff has led to a positive change in BeneLynk’s chart retrieval?
James: I start at the ground level, working directly with the Release of Information teams to understand their day-to-day challenges and workflows. By collaborating with them face-to-face, I quickly learned which processes are the most effective for everyone involved, ensuring a smoother process for both of our teams.
I also connect with executive leaders at these facilities, advocating for their Release of Information teams. When I leave a facility, I meet with the Executive Director to share what I’ve learned - whether it's recognizing a great team or pointing out where a team needs support, like if they’re missing staff or experiencing high turnover. I've met with VA leadership from two different administrations to explain what we do and how we do it. They’ve been intrigued. When I do identify significant issues, I report them back to D.C. leadership, and they often send a nationwide message to ensure compliance with regulations. Sometimes, I even train VA staff on their own policies. And again, so much of it is just about building those relationships, connections, and communication. This has all led to improved chart retrieval and makes things much easier on our team and on our partners’ members.
Me: How do you see BeneLynk’s Veteran support services evolving over the next few years? What excites you most about the future?
James: Our Human Resources department has really taken the lead in advancing our Veteran support efforts. They’ve evolved these initiatives organically, drawing insights not only from company leadership but also from our employees.
Additionally, we’ve started sponsoring programs and initiatives that hold real meaning - not just for our employees but also for BeneLynk as a company and for the members we support through our partners. I see this work continuing to grow and get better and better every year, and that’s what excites me the most - the ongoing evolution of our commitment to Veterans and the lasting impact we can make.
Me: What advice would you have for those who served in the military or are part of the military-affiliated community who would like to work at BeneLynk? What advice do you have for those who are already here?
James: My best advice is not to overlook smaller companies, especially those with a strong purpose and a unique mission. BeneLynk is a great example of that. There are incredible opportunities here, and the skills and experiences gained in the military or as a military spouse are extremely valuable in this work. For those considering BeneLynk, I think they’d find not just a job but a sense of passion and purpose. It’s not just about a paycheck - it’s about supporting those on Medicare and Medicaid, the generations who came before us. That connection to service can make this work incredibly fulfilling.
Me: Do you have any parting thoughts that you would like to share?
James: I just want to say that none of this would be possible without the support of my colleagues and BeneLynk’s leadership team. Support starts at the top, and it truly makes a difference. Without that vision and commitment, we wouldn’t have earned the recognition we have, and we wouldn’t have the incredible Veterans and military spouses on our team who bring their experience and passion to serving our partners. Despite my 33 years of military experience, I’m still learning; we’re all learning from each other. It’s that shared knowledge and teamwork that makes us stronger. At the end of the day, it’s one team, one fight. We’re in this together, and we’ll continue making a difference together.