at your service

 Growing up, Nancy was obsessed with pleasing, helping others, and finding solutions to problems… sometimes even when they weren’t necessarily wanted or needed. She was always dreaming and planning for what her life would be one day. Fast forward to that “one day” and not much has changed for this sassy, strong-willed, determined, self-motivated little girl. 

Today, Nancy Yates is an accomplished and respected, healthcare industry executive with 25 years of leadership in this highly competitive market. The knowledge, expertise, and sincere desire to help others is what makes Nancy’s decision to launch GZ2 Unlimited so exciting. 

Nancy’s drive and determination to find her place in the world started immediately upon graduating from Freed-Hardeman University, with a degree in Social Work. It didn’t take her long to find her way into a career field that she would ultimately call home. A place where she would grow up, grow through many seasons of her life, and ultimately grow into the dynamic leader she is today. It was at the Lipscomb clinic while working closely with the Physicians, as well as getting to know the patients, that she had her first glimpse into this mind-boggling world of healthcare. 

Nancy also spent a great deal of her life as a Contract Negotiator for Aetna Insurance, 17 years to be exact. While at Aetna, she negotiated thousands of contracts, from individual providers to large clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospitals. She was integral in the buildout of low-cost and custom narrow networks that are still active and thriving today, all while meeting and exceeding accessibility, quality, and financial goals. Nancy prides herself in the ability to link the big picture concerns and business unit goals to the day-to-day activities by uncovering constituent’s needs and wants without losing sight of the end result. 

In 2018 Nancy was given the opportunity to bring her extensive knowledge of contracting, her reputation for being a strategic thinker, and her infectious energy to ARS Aleut Construction. While at AAC, Nancy managed the contractual process between the Employer, Client and Contractor to include Subcontracts, Teaming Agreements, and Joint Ventures. Realizing Nancy’s leadership ability and recognizing her past success in the medical and health insurance fields, she was honored to be given the opportunity to lead the AAC Healthcare team. As a small business advocate, Nancy is well versed in federal contracting requirements and 8(a) Certified Small Disadvantaged Business concerns. Nancy worked directly with industry and government leaders to build and foster partners in the private and government sectors and to educate business leaders about the advantages of partnering with a Small Business. It was during this time that Nancy ignited that passion she experienced as a small child to help others, which led to her desire to launch GZ2 Unlimited. 

Nancy’s character leads the way in all her business decisions. There are many Pillars of Character that truly define who she is: Integrity, Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, Kindness, and Empathy are just a few. With her independent “I can do it” attitude, Nancy Yates is beyond excited to hit the ground running with GZ2 Unlimited. Working alongside her close friend of 26 years, Lisa Smith, their goal is to deliver the Best Products for the Best Price with the Best Service. 

“When you’re old enough to work, work like it’s your own business.” Those words were instilled in Lisa at an early age by her father and this philosophy has remained with her throughout her entire career path.

The journey began as a young Lisa was told by her Chemistry teacher that she would never become a Chemistry major in college. Proving him wrong, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Computer Science in just two years. She would soon be working as a Chemist for Kentucky Agricultura Energy Corp making fuel Ethanol. Her drive and determination were evident as she developed an impeccable work ethic during her time with the company.

Five years later, the opportunity arose to become part of a startup corporation in Bowling Green, Kentucky and Lisa became the Initial Chemist with Hills Pet Products. After the initial task of developing Standard Operating Procedures for the company and training all of the Lab Techs, she was offered an advancement as a Production Supervisor. It was there that Lisa and her team designed, built, and installed a totally new production line for Hills Pet Products.

After nine years at Hills, a Production Plant Manager position with the Kroger Corp would be Lisa’s next stop. During her tenure there, production goals were exceeded by 120% for the first time in Company history. Weekend crews were added, profits were made, but the phrase, “Like it’s your own business” remained at the forefront of her thoughts. 

Her husband, Jim, was also from a family of entrepreneurs, so together, they decided to take the plunge and broke ground on what would become a sixteen-year success story as owners and operators of their very own Texaco Express Lube. During those sixteen years, their store was recognized numerous times as the highest ranking in Customer Service nationally, a feat that speaks volumes as to how strongly Lisa believes in the importance of keeping the customer happy. 

But after sixteen years of owning their own business, they decided to sell to a large corporation, and to pass the time, Lisa became a Benefits Manager, developing employee benefit packages for small businesses. 

Then in 2018, Lisa was called upon by longtime friend, Nancy Yates, to assist in developing a healthcare company that would focus on Sales to the Federal Government. It was there that Lisa spent her time developing relationships with Vendors, Distributors, and Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, Medical Surgical items, and PPE supplies, allowing them to bid on Solicitations for the Federal Government and request for quotes.

With the foundation laid, it was as natural transition for Lisa and Nancy to develop GZ2 Unlimited in order to continue their customer-based focus and once again, “Work like it’s your own business”.