The Principals

Robert J. Brand, President & CEO

Robert J. Brand founded Solutions for Progress, Inc., in 1992 to provide grassroots organizations, unions, government and selected other clients assistance with health care policy, long-term care policy, economic development issues, and trade union concerns. Prior to founding Solutions for Progress, Mr. Brand served for eight years in health sector unions.

Mr. Brand has served as Senior Research Analyst and Field Healthcare Policy Coordinator for the Service Employees International Union; Director of Healthcare Policy and Special Assistant to the President (under President Clinton); and Special Assistant to the President for Health Policy for the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees. Mr. Brand gained experience in public service as the Deputy Commissioner of Health, Director of Policy and Planning for the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health, and as Division Director, Special and Emergency Care Services for the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation.

Mr. Brand has served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, as a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, and the National AFL-CIO Health Care Committee. He has served on several boards of directors, including Americans for Peace Now, the Health PAC Bulletin Editorial Board, In These Times Editorial Board, Prints in Progress, and the Brandywine Print Workshop. Mr. Brand received both his Master of City Planning and Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. His articles about single-payer financed health care reform have appeared in publications such as Dollars & Sense and Dissent.

Christopher H. Jacobs, COO

As Chief Operating Officer (COO), Christopher Jacobs essentially operates as the organization’s Managing Director planning and directing all aspects of the company’s operations including marketing, sales, development, production, customer services and personnel.

Mr. Jacobs joined Solutions for Progress in August 2007, bringing more than thirty years experience in the international information and communications technology industry, with an emphasis on marketing, operational management, strategic planning, and capital formation.  He has made major leadership contributions in Fortune 100 companies, entrepreneurial ventures and international consortia in Eastern & Western Europe, Asia, Australia, and the U.S.  He is a successful author on technology and change, with a recognized ability to communicate complex issues understandably.  He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wolverhampton (UK).

Michael A. Golden, CFO

Michael Golden brings 20 years experience in financial and organizational management and development to his role Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to joining Solutions for Progress, Mr. Golden was a partner in the financial advisory firm SES Advisors, in which he structured and secured financing for corporate transactions resulting in significant employee ownership. Previously, as an officer at the community development bank Shorebank, he focused on capital formation and financial issues, as well as filling an internal consulting role on strategic financial projects.

Mr. Golden has consulted across the for-profit, non-profit, and public sectors, and, in addition, he has worked in community organizing in neighborhoods and for senior citizens.

He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA from Wesleyan University.