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VOICES OF MCKESSON

Employee Spotlight, Culture, Career Growth

James "JB" Brownson

Over more than 17 years at McKesson, James "JB" Brownson has built a career that has taken him across technology, finance, strategy, sales, healthcare solutions and culture-building. Along the way, he's learned a few things about leadership, growth and what it means to do work that matters.

We sat down with JB to talk about the ingredients that have shaped his journey.

Curiosity

JB's career began in technology, but what really captured his attention was the opportunity to understand how things work, why they work that way, and how they can be improved.

"What attracted me most was the complexity. I enjoy tackling difficult challenges and solving problems that don't have obvious answers."

That curiosity opened doors across multiple areas of the business and continues to shape how he approaches challenges today.

James' Recipe for Success
JB with senior leadership

Relationships

Professional connections helped lead him to McKesson, while mentors and colleagues challenged him to grow throughout his journey.

"Success is a team sport. I didn't get here by accident, and I'm thankful for all who have helped me along the way. They raised the bar, and they didn't lower it when things got tough."

At Connections 2023, McKesson’s national sales conference, JB is pictured alongside McKesson Chair & CEO Brian Tyler and colleague Zac Harrison,  reflecting on the relationships, leadership and culture that have shaped his career journey at McKesson.

JB with colleague Sarah

Culture

"Culture lives between the meetings. I’ve found that culture is shaped in those small moments, how feedback is given, how disagreement is handled, and how people are treated, especially when facing challenges.”

JB has been heavily involved in McKesson’s Employee Opinion Survey journey and was recognized as the company’s first Culture Champion Award recipient in 2025. For him, culture is built through everyday interactions and a genuine commitment to employee feedback.

JB with colleague Sarah Nash.

JB receiving reward

Helping Healthcare Work Better

Today, JB leads the generic drug category for McKesson’s hospital segment within North American Pharmaceutical Services.

"My team's job is to make sure that our part of the healthcare system works the best it can to help the people who depend on it."

Their work plays a meaningful role in improving healthcare affordability.

"The U.S. drug market is made more affordable by hundreds of billions of dollars each year through the generic drug category. It's incredibly awesome and humbling to be pa.rt of that effort."

JB accepting an award from Rob Schrepfer, President, North American Generics, at the Gxexcellence Award Ceremony.

Purpose, Perseverance and Adaptability

Before joining McKesson, JB enlisted as a linguist in the U.S. Air Force after 9/11. That experience shaped a perspective he still carries today.

"Purpose doesn't end. It just changes. You can still focus on serving something bigger than yourself." Today, JB finds that purpose in helping improve healthcare and contributing to work that benefits providers, patients and communities.

Asked about his recipe for success, he points to two key ingredients: "Perseverance keeps you moving when the outcome isn't guaranteed, and adaptability keeps you open to becoming something better than you'd originally planned."

Those qualities have helped him navigate new challenges, expand his perspective and continue growing throughout his career.

"I've found that when you move your work beyond success, that's when it can become the most meaningful."

More than 17 years into his McKesson journey, JB’s story shows that growth isn’t always linear. It’s shaped by purpose, perseverance and a willingness to adapt along the way.