JR Nino is the vice president of First 5 LA’s Center for Operations and Sustainability. JR leads the organization’s work in Finance, Contracts Administration and Procurement, Facilities, and Information Technology. His focus is on strengthening internal systems and operational strategy to support long-term impact and ensure First 5 LA remains a resilient and effective force for children and families.
With more than 20 years of experience improving organizational performance, JR brings a deep background in health care operations, procurement and strategic planning. Prior to First 5 LA, JR served as senior director of Contracting and Procurement at L.A. Care Health Plan. During his time there, he was awarded a “New Visionary Award” at a software conference for innovation in operations leadership. He has also held key leadership roles at HealthNet and Anthem, where he led initiatives that increased efficiency and value. Earlier in his career, JR served as a management consultant with IBM Global Services and Accenture, advising Fortune 500 clients on operational strategy and process improvement. He is also a veteran, having served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. He serves on the board of The Village Family Services, a nonprofit agency focused on a mission to end youth homelessness and to ensure foster children thrive.
JR holds an MBA from California Lutheran University and dual bachelor’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida and in physics from Jacksonville University. He and his wife reside in Los Angeles and have two grown children. They enjoy exercising at the gym and cheering on the Dodgers and Lakers.
