The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Dallas for 2022

The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Dallas for 2022. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is home to more than 40 corporate headquarters, including more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, giving it one of the largest corporate headquarters concentrations in the United States. The city is also home to some of the most innovative healthcare technology companies not just in the country, but in the world. The leaders on this year’s list have been instrumental in guiding their organizations in areas including innovation, growth, and efficiency, while keeping in mind the most important thing: improving the lives of patients.

Some of the distinguished awardees on this year’s list include Jeanette Bankes, President and GM of the Global Surgical Franchise for Alcon, which each year is improving the lives of more than 260 million people in more than 140 countries living with vision problems like glaucoma and cataracts. Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer John Martinson’s StatLab provides histology, cytology, and immunohistochemistry consumable supplies to more than 3,000 anatomic pathology laboratories throughout the United States. And Chief Medical Officer and Chief Product Strategy Officer Jeff Bullard’s Catalyst Health Network is the creator of Texas’ largest clinically integrated network for primary care providers and currently supports more than 1.5 million patients in all aspects of their care.

Healthcare technologies for applications as wide ranging as ophthalmic surgery, pharmaceuticals, and interventional radiology have been developed by the companies represented on this year’s list. But regardless of the technology, they never would have reached the market–and patients–without these great leaders there to shepherd them through the process. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Dallas for 2022.

 

1. Jeannette Bankes
Company: Alcon
Title: President and GM Global Surgical Franchise

Jeannette Bankes is the President and GM Global Surgical Franchise at Alcon. She first joined the company in 2019. Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning more than seven decades, it offers the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Its Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in more than 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and refractive errors. Alcon’s more than 23,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals, and programs that advance access to quality eye care.

Previously, Bankes was a General Manager of Men's Health, Women’s Health, and Gynsurg Businesses at Boston Scientific. She currently sits on the boards of Apollo Endosurgery, Aurion Biotech, and the ASCRS Foundation, and previously was an Executive Board Member for The Medical Alley Association.

 

2. Kevin Oliver
Company: Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
Title: Chief Operating Officer of US & Europe, SVP, Global Head of BD&L and M&A

Kevin Oliver is the Chief Operating Officer of US and Europe, Senior Vice President, and Global Head of Business Development and Licensing and Mergers & Acquisitions at Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, a manufacturer and supplier of branded generic pharmaceuticals in the Chinese market. Simcere is rapidly transitioning to an innovation and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company, with a mission of “providing today’s patients with medicines of the future.” It focuses on oncology, central nervous system disease, and autoimmune disease therapeutic areas.

Prior to joining Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, Oliver was Global Head of Business Development and Licensing at Alcon, and before that Executive Director of Business Development and Licensing at Merck. Earlier in his career, he worked with MSD as group leader of the novel target discovery and validation group. Oliver graduated from University of Cambridge with a PhD in neuroscience and from King's College London with an undergraduate degree in immunology and molecular biology.

 

3. George Leondis
Company: Argon Medical Devices, Inc.
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

George Leondis is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Argon Medical Devices, Inc., a global manufacturer of specialty medical products headquartered in Plano, Texas. Argon offers a broad line of medical devices for interventional radiology, vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, and oncology. Argon’s brand is recognized for best-in-class products that improve patient outcomes via percutaneous, image-guided procedures. By utilizing a well-established sales and marketing infrastructure, the company serves its global customers through a direct sales organization and through long-standing relationships with medical device distributors, strategic partners, and OEMs.

Previously, Leondis was Senior Vice President at Angiotech (Vascular & Oncology Division) and General Manager and Corporate Vice President for Angiotech Interventional. He is also currently a member of the boards of directors for both the Medical Device Manufacturers Association and IZI Medical Products, LLC. He earned an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University.

 

4. David Borden
Company: Pharmaceutical Strategies Group
Title: Chief Executive Officer

David Borden is the Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaceutical Strategies Group. He first joined the company in 2004. Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG) is the leading pharmacy intelligence and technology company providing cutting-edge drug cost-management solutions. Drawing on more than 20 years of pharmaceutical innovation and best practices experience, it deploys proprietary technology, industry intelligence, data-enabled services, and the industry’s most trusted advisors to help clients reduce costs, enhance revenue, and optimize health outcomes.

Previously, Borden was a Regional Managing Partner at Deloitte Consulting, and before that the health and welfare practice leader at Arthur Andersen/Andersen Consulting. Earlier in his career, he worked with Towers Perrin as a consultant. Borden earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.

 

5. Pierre Sayad
Company: CTI BioPharma
Title: Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs

Dr. Pierre Sayad is the Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs for CTI Biopharma, a small biotech with a large focus on advancing novel treatments for blood cancers.

Dr. Sayad is a pharmaceutical and biotech expert with 21 years of experience spanning commercial, medical affairs, global strategy, and business development organizations. Prior to joining CTI Biopharma, he led the medical affairs organizations of oncology-based biotech companies Oncopeptides, Karyopharm Therapeutics, and Onyx Pharmaceuticals. In addition to oncology, Dr. Sayad also has deep experience in neuroscience and was heavily involved in the FDA approvals and commercial launches of several CNS drugs at Eli Lilly and Company for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and ADHD.

Dr. Sayad completed his graduate work in molecular physiology at the School of Medicine, Loma Linda University and has a PhD in psychoneuroimmunology. He completed his business training and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

 

6. Cary Paulette
Company: Biote
Title: Chief Revenue Officer

Cary Paulette is the Chief Revenue Officer for Biote, a hormone optimization company that has translated over 80 years of scientific insight into clinically-validated medical approaches that identify and treat imbalances in hormone production.

Prior to Biote, Paulette was an area director at Boston Scientific Corporation. From there, he became a regional director for PTC, before eventually rising to EVP of Sales, Marketing, and Sales Operation at Thermi, his most recent position prior to joining Biote. Paulette graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and management.

 

7. Chris Alverson
Company: McKesson
Title: Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management

Chris Alverson is the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for McKesson. He first joined the company in 1994 as Vice President of Supply Chain Management. McKesson is an impact-driven healthcare organization dedicated to “Advancing Health Outcomes For All.” As a global healthcare company, it touches virtually every aspect of health, working with biopharma companies, care providers, pharmacies, manufacturers, governments, and others to deliver insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable.

Alverson is responsible for creating a full supply chain organization. His responsibilities include leading the Pharmaceutical Brand Fee for the Service Compliance group, and procurement activities including the National Buying Center and Generic Operations. Prior to joining McKesson, he worked for FoxMeyer Drug Company in various leadership positions with increasing responsibilities. Alverson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in business administration and management from Dallas Baptist University.

 

8. Shon Bjornberg
Company: Essilor Group
Title: Vice President Of IDD

Shon Bjornberg is the Vice President Of IDD at Essilor, the leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of optical lenses in the United States. Essilor is the first fully integrated optical company in the United States, specializing in ophthalmic lens production, manufacturing, and distribution in addition to wholesale optical laboratory operations. With customers in mind, Essilor works closely with eyecare professionals to provide innovative products that fit their lifestyles.

Before joining Essilor Group, Bjornberg was director of sales and marketing at Empire Optical. Later, he was the owner of Pinnacle Sales Solutions. He is currently a board member for Special Olympics Texas and graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in English and communications.

 

9. John Martinson
Company: StatLab
Title: Chief Operating Officer

John Martinson is the Chief Operating Officer of StatLab, a leading specialty supplier exclusively focused on providing histology, cytology, and immunohistochemistry consumable supplies to more than 3,000 anatomic pathology laboratories throughout the United States. Its foundation is rooted in customer service excellence, and it recognizes that product cost is but one aspect of the total value stream. Being able to offer consistent, reliable, and error-free service minimizes the total cost of doing business with StatLab and requires prioritization of service excellence throughout the organization. Its purpose reflects the role it plays: To enable customers to provide cost-effective patient care.

Prior to StatLab, Martinson was the manager of manufacturing development at Carrier HVAC. From there, he went on to Honeywell, before eventually rising to Senior Vice President and Head of Operations at Ascensia Diabetes Care, his most recent position prior to joining StatLab. Martinson graduated from Le Moyne College with an MBA in general management and from Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.

 

10. Jeff Bullard
Company: Catalyst Health Group
Title: Chief Medical Officer and Chief Product Strategy Officer

Jeff Bullard is the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Product Strategy Officer for Catalyst Health Group. Catalyst enables primary care to be the difference-maker in patients’ lives that it was always meant to be. As the creator of Texas’ largest clinically integrated network for primary care providers, Catalyst’s team supports more than 1.5 million patients in every moment that matters. Its work improves patient health and reduces overall costs in sustainable, scalable ways. Together, it helps communities thrive.

Bullard first joined Catalyst in 2018 as medical director. Previously, he has founded or co-founded several companies, including AssessMD, Vault (a behavioral assessment, tracking, and patient engagement tool), MaxHealth Medical Associates, and Elevate Health Clinics. He earned an MD from the Creighton University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in zoology and animal biology from the University of Wyoming.

 

11. Mark Neri
Company: Keystone Dental Group
Title: Senior Vice President of International Sales

Mark Neri is the Senior Vice President of International Sales at Keystone Dental Group–an oral healthcare company combining Keystone Dental Inc. and Paltop Advanced Dental Solutions LTD–dedicated to the delivery of breakthrough dental implant and biomaterial technologies. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, the Keystone Dental Group leverages decades of collective experience in industry leadership in precision manufacturing and implant technology to manufacture premium cutting-edge implants and implant components. Keystone is deeply committed to scientific R&D and heavily invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment for continuous introduction of advanced products and digital dentistry services of the highest quality standards.

Before joining Keystone Dental Group, Neri was President of Neoss Inc., and before that a Senior Vice President of International Sales at BioHorizons Implant Systems Inc. Earlier in his career he worked for both 3M and OsteoHealth as a territory manager.

 

12. Roman Haehn
Company: Agena Bioscience
Title: Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Operations and Customer Support

Roman Haehn is the Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Operations and Customer Support for Agena Bioscience. Agena Bioscience is dedicated to advancing the impact of genomics in healthcare and precision medicine. Its highly sensitive and cost-effective mass spectrometry-based platform, the MassARRAY® System, is used globally in diverse research fields such as cancer profiling for solid tumors and liquid biopsies, inherited genetic disease testing, pharmacogenetics, and clinical research. Its mission is to equip genomic and clinical testing laboratories with practical solutions that increase productivity and decrease time to results.

Haehn first got his start in 1996 as a regional sales manager at Sera Tech Biologicals. From there, he went on to Sigma Aldrich, before eventually rising to senior director of global partner operations at Luminex Corporation, his most recent position prior to joining Agena Bioscience. Haehn graduated from The University of Kansas with an undergraduate degree in human biology and business.

 

13. Sharif Sayed
Company: Immunotec
Title: Vice President, North America

Sharif Sayed is the Vice President, North America at Immunotec. He first joined the company in 2021. Immunotec’s mission is to provide high-quality scientifically-based nutrition and wellness products which enhance quality of life and performance. It thrives by empowering people to share an exceptional network marketing opportunity accessible to everyone, and it is committed to continued growth and prosperity for its consultants, employees, and shareholders.

Previously, Sayed was Vice President of Sales at PURE: People United Reaching Everyone, and before that a senior director of sales operations at AdvoCare. He also co-founded the non-profit Dayna’s Footprints and is a guest lecturer at the Drexel University College of Medicine. Sayed earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in biology from Texas Tech University.

 

14. Alex Merson
Company: Instil Bio
Title: Vice President of Finance

Alex Merson is the Vice President of Finance at Instil Bio, a cell therapy company developing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. TIL are a patient’s own T cells harvested from the patient’s tumor, which are then expanded and reinfused into the patient to target and kill cancer cells. The company is advancing its proprietary manufacturing expertise, technology, and data into clinical trials, including a planned registrational study with its lead candidate and a first-in-human study of its next-generation engineered TIL. The company is led by world-class cell therapy experts and backed by premier global institutional investors.

Before joining Instil Bio, Merson was Chief Financial Officer at Hazel's Hot Shot, and before that he was CFO at WCS Hotels LLC. Earlier in his career, he worked with Brown Brothers Harriman as a Vice President. Merson graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and history.

 

15. Tyler Lembke
Company: InMode Aesthetic Solutions
Title: Vice President of Sales

Tyler Lembke is the Vice President of Sales at InMode Aesthetic Solutions, a leading global provider of innovative medical technologies that develops, manufactures, and markets devices harnessing novel radiofrequency technology. The company’s technological advancements began more than two decades ago with state-of-the-art light, laser, and radiofrequency devices invented by leading doctors and scientists, who essentially launched and shaped the industry.

Prior to InMode, Lembke was a territory representative for IBM. Later, he was a regional sales director for Cutera before becoming an area manager at Cynosure, Inc., his most recent position prior to joining InMode. Lembke graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in business and commerce.

 

16. Brant Southwell
Company: Neurolens
Title: Vice President of Marketing

Brant Southwell is the Vice President of Marketing at Neurolens. At Neurolens, Southwell oversees development and execution of the commercial marketing strategy, including pipeline activation, customer acceleration, product innovation planning, programs, and pricing strategy—as well as a growing focus on direct-to-consumer efforts. Since Southwell joined the company in 2020, commercial revenues have grown more than 350%. In fact, Neurolens was recognized in 2022 as one of the 30 fastest growing private companies in the healthcare industry by Inc. Magazine.

Southwell previously spent nine years at EssilorLuxottica, leading several key marketing initiatives ranging from major product launches to national growth programs, and was later Vice President of Marketing for Savoya. He holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Marketing from the Texas A&M University – Mays Business School.

 

17. Arthur Chan
Company: Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Title: Vice President of Medical Affairs

Arthur Chan currently serves as the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for unmet needs beginning with Demodex blepharitis. Prior to this role, Chan led Novartis’ ophthalmology anterior segment medical affairs team, responsible for dry eye and refractive products, and was Executive Director of Field Medical Capabilities, managing medical science liaison training and the medical legal regulatory review across Novartis’ franchises. Leading medical science teams has always been a passion for Chan, and he built and led Alcon’s first MSL team as Head of Medical Science, supporting the company’s entire portfolio of surgical equipment and intraocular lenses.

Chan began his career at Insightec and is currently an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University’s Haub School of Business as well as an advisory board member of the MSL Society and Fierce Pharma’s Medical Affairs Strategic Summit. He holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Washington, and an executive MBA with a specialty in pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing from St. Joseph’s University, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta. Chan is the 2021 recipient of the Ophthalmic World Leaders’ Catalyst Award.

 

18. Ademola Daramola
Company: Cipla USA
Title: Senior Director and Global Head of Compliance

Ademola Daramola is the Senior Director and Global Head of Compliance for Cipla USA. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Ondo State University in 1990 and joined Glaxo (later GlaxoSmithKline Beecham, GSK) as a chemist the same year. After 15 months in the chemist role, he became a Medical Representative for OTC prescription medicines. Daramola left GSK in 1996 and enrolled in Barry University in Miami for a second Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology), which he completed in 1999. He worked for a pharma startup company in Miami until September 2002.

In October 2002, Daramola joined Gensia Sicor Pharmaceuticals, which later became Teva Pharmaceuticals. He rose to become Senior Supervisor of Quality Control, a post he held until 2010, when he left to join the United States Food and Drug Administration as a Human and Animal Drug Investigator. From 2010 to 2018, he held various positions at the FDA, culminating in Assistant Director and International Relations Specialist in the FDA India office. In 2018, he joined Cipla Pharmaceuticals as Director and Head of Compliance and Sustainability, and two years later, he assumed his current role. Daramola holds Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Global Health degrees from Nova Southeastern University.

 

19. Christa Hawthorne
Company: TELA Bio
Title: Director of Clinical Development and Market Strategy

Christa Hawthorne is the Director of Clinical Development and Market Strategy for TELA Bio. She first joined the company in 2019 as clinical development manager. TELA Bio is focused on providing innovative technologies that optimize clinical outcomes by prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the patient's own anatomy. It is committed to providing surgeons with advanced, economically effective soft-tissue reconstruction solutions that leverage the patient's natural healing response while minimizing long-term exposure to permanent synthetic materials.

Previously, Hawthorne was an area sales manager at AirXpanders, Inc. and before that a senior clinical education manager and field trainer at DySIS Medical Ltd. Earlier in her career, she worked with UTSW Zale Lipshy as a CST and Ophthalmology Coordinator.

 

20. Nick Trajcevski
Company: Neurolens
Title: Supply Chain Director

Nick Trajcevski is the Supply Chain Director for Neurolens. Neurolens designs prescription lenses that add a contoured prism to bring the eyes into alignment. Ever since its inception in 2012, its mission has always been the same: to help independent eye care providers bring relief to patients. In the beginning, it partnered with neurology clinics and began utilizing neurolens technology on its most refractive, end-of-the-line patients. Within days it saw tremendous, life-changing results. Since then, it has helped independent optometrists across North America bring relief to tens of thousands of patients.

Before joining Neurolens, Trajcevski was a senior supply chain analyst at Endologix, Inc., and before that a planner II at Abbott. Earlier in his career, he worked with Edwards Lifesciences as a department coordinator of shipping. Trajcevski graduated from the University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business with a Master of Science in global supply chain management and from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in social ecology.

 

21. Elaine Clark
Company: Dermavant Sciences
Title: Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs

Elaine Clark is the Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs for Dermavant Sciences, a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing innovative prescription therapies for dermatologic diseases. Dermavant has acquired promising compounds that address unmet therapeutic needs and has rapidly established a robust dermatology R&D pipeline. It is dedicated to realizing the full potential of biomedical research and to developing and commercializing novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies that improve patients’ lives. The patient is at the heart of everything it does.

Prior to Dermavent, Clark was a manager of clinical and regulatory affairs at Applied Logic Associates. From there, she went on to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, before eventually rising to Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs, Strategy and Agency Liaison at PRA Health Sciences, her most recent position prior to joining Dermavant Sciences. Clark graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in EDCI and biology.

 

22. Ann Howell
Company: Forma Therapeutics
Title: Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

Ann Howell is the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Forma Therapeutics. She first joined the company in 2020 as executive director of regulatory affairs. Forma Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics to transform the lives of patients with rare hematologic diseases and cancers. Its R&D engine combines deep biology insight, chemistry expertise, and clinical development capabilities to create drug candidates with differentiated mechanisms of action focused on indications with high unmet need. Its work has generated a broad proprietary portfolio of programs with the potential to provide profound patient benefit.

Previously, Howell was Senior Director for Shionogi Inc. and before that an associate director of regulatory affairs at Forest Laboratories (now Allergan). She earned a PharmD and Master of Science in pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma.

 

23. Melani Madsen
Company: Advanced Infusion Care
Title: Vice President Of Financial Services

Melani Madsen is the Vice President of Financial Services for Advanced Infusion Care. Advanced Infusion Care applies a team approach to intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy patient care. Collaboration between physicians and the nationally accredited AIC home infusion team ensures the consistent delivery of patient-specific, specialized in-home infusion services to patients across the country, helping to improve outcomes and lives.

Prior to joining Advanced Infusion Care, Madsen was senior director of financial services at AIS Healthcare, and before that a patient access manager at Kroger Specialty Pharmacy. Earlier in her career, she was an intake process manager for BioScrip, Inc. and a reimbursement manager for Optioncare. She holds a degree in business administration and management from the American InterContinental University.

 

24. Perry Monaco
Company: G1 Therapeutics, Inc.
Title: Vice President of Sales

Perry Monaco is the Vice President of Sales for G1 Therapeutics, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and delivery of next generation therapies that improve the lives of those affected by cancer, including the company’s first commercial product, COSELA™. G1 has a deep clinical pipeline evaluating targeted cancer therapies in a variety of solid tumors, including colorectal, breast, lung, and bladder cancers, and is also advancing rintodestrant, a potential best-in-class oral selective estrogen receptor degrader, or SERD, for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer. In 2020, G1 out-licensed global development and commercialization rights to its differentiated oral CDK4/6 inhibitor, lerociclib.

Prior to G1, Monaco was a regional accounts manager at Sanofi Aventis Oncology. From there, he went on to Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an Amgen subsidiary, before eventually rising to Senior Vice President of Sales at Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., his most recent position prior to joining G1 Therapeutics, Inc.. Monaco graduated from Eckerd College with a Bachelor of Arts in international business.

 

25. Theresa Landry
Company: New World Medical
Title: Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs

Theresa Landry is the Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at New World Medical. Founded in 1990, New World Medical manufactures ophthalmic surgical devices, including the world-renowned Ahmed Glaucoma Valve and the Kahook Dual Blade. The mission of New World Medical is to preserve and enhance vision by delivering innovations to benefit humanity. New World Medical functions in partnership with surgeons, providing them with the tools they need to positively affect clinical outcomes. It also believes in humanitarian endeavors, and supports many charitable organizations through the donation of its surgical equipment.

Landry first joined New World Medical in 2020. Earlier in her career, she was a senior director for Alcon Laboratories, Inc. and later a glaucoma disease area expert for Alcon. She also works as a medical device and pharmaceutical consultant for Ophthalmic Clinical Consultants, LLC. Landry earned a doctorate in pharmacology from UNT Health Science Center and an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.