The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Jacksonville for 2023. With the distinction of hosting one of the nation's three Mayo Clinics, the city of Jacksonville, Florida, continues to build its reputation as an inviting hub for health technology enterprises, driven by several pivotal factors. Alongside Mayo's recent No. 52 ranking in Newsweek's "World's Best Hospitals 2023," the region accommodates Baptist Health with its five hospitals, Ascension St. Vincent's and its trio of hospitals, and two HCA Healthcare hospitals, along with numerous satellite offices. On top of that, the locality's steadfast dedication to technology and innovation is evident, as demonstrated by the appearance of four Jacksonville-headquartered companies on the 2023 Fortune 500 list. Complementing this, the city's comparative affordability and business-friendly policies furnish economic advantages for both emerging healthcare technology startups and established corporations. These ventures, guided by their skilled executives, not only stimulate the area's economic expansion but also deliver cutting-edge healthcare breakthroughs that enrich the health and longevity of patients.
Among the notable individuals recognized on this year's list is David Racenet, the VP of Research and Development for the Enabling Technologies operating unit within the Neuroscience portfolio at Medtronic. Racenet, who has helped revolutionize minimally invasive surgery, holds more than 150 medical device patents filed for global commercial use in Medtronic’s core product lines. Additionally, Aaron Baratta, the VP of Sales at Currax, boasts more than two decades of pharmaceutical experience in various sales leadership positions. Prior to Currax, Baratta was at Horizon Pharma, where he helped grow three separate business units from under $80 million to $600 million in just three years. Another prime example of an awardee who deserves recognition is David Gravett, the VP of Strategy at Poly-Med. An inventor on 18 issued U.S. patents and over 130 US patent applications, Gravett has developed numerous drug and combination devices that utilize a range of biomaterials and pharmaceuticals.
Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Jacksonville for 2023.
1. Ryan Reinhardt
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Title: Vice President, End-to-End Supply Chain
As Johnson & Johnson’s Vice President of End-to-End Supply Chain, Ryan Reinhardt brings over 20 years of experience to the role. He is responsible for the full end-to-end (E2E) Vision Supply Chain, including strategy, manufacturing, planning, and operations. He is also accountable for establishing and delivering a vision that achieves quality, compliance, operational excellence, and cost effectiveness across all products within the segment. His company, Johnson & Johnson, is the largest and most diversified healthcare products company in the world. They’ve been producing life-changing breakthroughs for the last 130 years.
Reinhardt began his career within the capital equipment industry, where he held various leadership roles, from factory management to strategic initiatives. In 2014, he entered the medical device industry. Since then, he has held several leadership positions within manufacturing and supply chain, and leading large global organizations, responsible for the source, plan, make, and deliver processes. Reinhardt holds a BS in Plastic Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Canisius College.
2. David Racenet
Company: Medtronic
Title: Vice President, R&D Surgical Robotics
David Racenet is currently the Vice President of Research and Development for the Enabling Technologies operating unit within the Neuroscience portfolio at Medtronic, a healthcare technology giant with a global team of more than 90,000 employees. Notably, Racenet is a proven R&D leader with vast experience in developing innovative surgical devices. He holds more than 150 medical device patents filed for global commercial use in Medtronic’s core product lines. Racenet began his career in 1993 as a mechanical design engineer, where his work contributed to the development of numerous laparoscopic surgical products that helped revolutionize minimally invasive surgery. Previously, Racenet served as Vice President of R&D – Surgical Innovations, which is part of the Medtronic Minimally Invasive Therapies Group.
In 2016, Racenet was inducted into the Bakken Society, where today he is the chair. Named after Medtronic’s founder, former CEO and inventor of the pacemaker, Earl Bakken, induction into the Bakken Society is the highest technical honor given at Medtronic. At Medtronic, Racenet has also provided product development leadership, portfolio and investment management guidance, as well as leading 200+ person organizations across numerous global R&D centers of excellence. In addition, while at Medtronic, he co-authored several publications in the Journal for Surgical Research (JSR). Racenet received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He also holds executive certificates in strategy and innovation management and leadership from MIT Sloan.
3. Linda Murray
Company: IQVIA
Title: Senior Director, Strategic Operations
Linda Murray is a Senior Director Strategic Operations for a large pharmaceutical account team at IQVIA, a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life science industry. IQVIA’s mission is to help speed drug development, ensuring product quality and safety, improving commercial effectiveness, getting the right treatments to patients, improving access and delivery of healthcare and ultimately driving better health outcomes. With approximately 87,000 employees, IQVIA conducts operations in more than 100 countries.
Linda is an accomplished healthcare leader with extensive CRO and pharmaceutical industry, clinical development, project leadership/operations and strategic partnership expertise. She recently received recognition as part of the team that implemented a landmark cardiovascular outcomes clinical trial that will provide a potential new therapy for patients. Prior to her tenure at IQVIA, Linda was president of her own consulting firm and, prior to that, she was in project leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly and Company for 24 years, where she was instrumental in the development of two marketed products for schizophrenia and other early stage compounds in various indications.
Linda graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. She holds a Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is an active member of the PMI.
4. John Perrotto
Company: BD
Title: Vice President of Health Systems,
John Perrotto is the Vice President of Health Systems at BD, one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. With roots that go back to the late 19th century, BD is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. Furthermore, the company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services, and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical processes for health care providers.
Perrotto has been with BD since he joined in 1999 as a sales consultant. Previously, he was a registered nurse at The Washington Hospital. Perrotto earned an undergraduate degree in nursing from Waynesburg University and an undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
5. Brian Adcock
Company: Medline Industries
Title: Vice President of Distribution and Corporate Sales
Brian Adcock is a Vice President, Corporate Sales/Distribution for Medline Industries, LP. Medline is a healthcare company – a medical supply manufacturer, distributor, and solutions provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of healthcare. Partnering across the continuum of care, Medline helps providers to activate the clinical and supply chain resources needed to deliver their best care. With the agility to solve problems quickly and the scale to partner with providers for their sustained success, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the future and rapidly respond to a dynamically changing market with customized solutions. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., Medline has 35,000+ employees worldwide and operates in over 125 countries and territories.
Adcock has been with Medline for over 25 years. He began his career in Advanced Wound Care and has held varying sales leadership positions including oversight for the Premier GPO relationship and, for the last 15 years, Vice-President of Acute Distribution Sales. During his tenure he has been named Vice President of the Year several times and has helped to lead Medline’s distribution network throughout the country with major healthcare institutions. Acting as a liaison between operations, logistics, clinical teams, sales, and IT, Brian has sold and coordinated efforts to develop and redesign hospital supply chains using state of the art logistics and advances in Information Technology. “The advancement of Technology in today’s healthcare environment is remarkable, from robotics, artificial intelligence, operational visibility to clinical improved outcomes.” Prior to Medline, Adcock was President of Sales Advantage in Florida. Adcock has a B.A. from the University of North Florida.
6. Michael Dubia
Company: AmerisourceBergen
Title: Vice President, Specialty GPO Strategic Accounts & Business Development
With more than two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Michael Dubia currently serves as Vice President, Strategic Accounts and Business Development with ION Oncology Practice Network, an AmerisourceBergen Specialty GPO. In this role, Dubia leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen and support community oncology by fostering strong working relationships within the community, and by providing consultative services on how oncology practices can best navigate the ever-changing cancer care landscape. The work that Dubia and his team does directly contributes to AmerisourceBergen’s mission of fostering a positive impact on patient outcomes by ensuring every patient at any site of care has access to the best and most innovative therapies they may need. Specifically, the Specialty GPOs provide unmatched access to emerging critical specialty therapies through advanced insights, industry-leading expertise & customer-centered innovation.
Prior to joining AmerisourceBergen, Dubia led the GPO National Accounts team at GSK, a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. He held several commercial leadership positions in sales, marketing, and market access during his 22-year career at GSK.
7. Michelle Clapp
Company: Fortrea
Title: Director of Operational Strategy & Planning
Michelle Murphy Clapp is Director, Operational Strategy and Planning at Fortrea, a leading global provider of clinical development and patient access solutions to the life sciences industry. Fortrea partners with emerging and large biopharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic companies to drive healthcare innovation that accelerates life changing therapies to patients in need. Fortrea provides phase I-IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology, differentiated technology enabled trial solutions and post-approval services. Fortrea’s solutions leverage three decades of experience spanning more than 20 therapeutic areas, a passion for scientific rigor, exceptional insights and a strong investigator site network. The talented and diverse team of more than 19,000 people working in more than 90 countries is scaled to deliver focused and agile solutions to customers globally.
In her current role, Michelle guides biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies in the planning, implementation and execution of clinical development programs of assets for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Prior to joining Fortrea, Michelle was a project manager on the fastest enrolling United States government (USG) funded COVID-19 vaccine mega trial under the program previously referred to as Operation Warp Speed (OWS). During the course of her 15-year career in the drug development space, Michelle contributed to FDA approval of seven assets inclusive of vaccines and therapies. Michelle earned an undergraduate degree from Kutztown University.
8. Phillip Lewis
Company: Zimmer Biomet
Title: Vice President of Sales, the Americas
Phillip Lewis is the Vice President of Sales for the Americas segment at Zimmer Biomet, a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. Founded in 1927 and based in Warsaw, Zimmer Biomet has operations in more than 25 countries and sales in more than 100 countries. They maintain world-class scientific facilities and resources and collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers around the world.
Zimmer Biomet advances their mission to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for patients around the world with their innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence. Notably, Lewis began his career in 1988. Before joining Zimmer Biomet, he was an area manager at Synthes Spine. Before that, he served as an area business director at Depuy Spine. Earlier in his career, he worked with E&J Gallo Winery as a sales representative. Lewis graduated from Auburn University with an undergraduate degree in economics.
9. Marcy DeWalt Nelson
Company: Allergan
Title: Executive Director, Professional Relations – Anterior Segment, US Eye Care
Marcy DeWalt Nelson is the Executive Director of the Anterior Segment Professional Relations Team. The Professional Relations Team is dedicated to serving Ophthalmology and Optometry at all levels, starting in the academic institutions with students, residents, and fellows and working collaboratively with our Marketing Partners to provide education and resources to Optometrists and Ophthalmologists at every stage of his/her career. Marcy oversees a team of 5 Marketing Directors supporting our overall Academic Development strategy and Conference strategy at the national, regional, and state level. She works collaboratively with the team on the overall KOL, Peer to Peer, and Emerging Leader strategy, as well as, building out key programs like VIEW (Visionary Insights for Eyecare Women) and OPTOMETRY JUMPSTART®. Marcy has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry and joined Allergan in 2010 as a District Sales Manager. She transitioned to the Professional Relations Marketing Team focused on Optometry in 2014 and took over leading the team in 2020 with expanded responsibilities supporting Ophthalmology in the spring of 2022.
Prior to joining Allergan, Marcy began her career as a High School Biology Teacher and then transitioned to pharmaceutical sales with Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical (a division of Johnson & Johnson) in 2000 as a sales representative in Cleveland, Ohio. She held positions of increasing responsibility across multiple therapeutic areas as a sales trainer and hospital representative serving The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals of Cleveland, and then ultimately was promoted to District Sales Manager. Marcy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.
Company Quotes
"Allergan, an AbbVie company, has dedicated 75 years to advancing eye care, launching over 125 products for prevalent eye conditions. We continue our commitment to helping Eye Care Professionals deliver superior patient care through Research & Development, outreach programs, and educational support."
10. Georgia Keresty
Company: Stealth Mode Biotech
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Georgia Keresty is the Chief Operating Officer at Stealth Mode Biotech. Previously, she served as a chief operating officer of Takeda R&D, a global research and development driven biopharmaceutical company. She also served as an executive at Johnson & Johnson. She also held roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, respectively.
Keresty joined Stealth Mode Biotech in 2023. She holds BSc degrees in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science from Clarkson University and Ramapo College of New Jersey, an MS in Information Systems from Pace University, an MBA in Operations Management from Rutgers University, a PhD in Operations Management from Rutgers University, and an MPH in Global Health Leadership from the University of Southern California. In addition, she has been a member of Solid’s Board of Directors since March 2021.
11. Brad Staley
Company: Advancing Eyecare
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Brad Staley is the Chief Executive Officer of Advancing Eyecare (AEC), a partnership of leaders in the eyecare instrumentation marketplace established to offer the best products and service solutions in the ophthalmic equipment industry. Currently, AEC comprises Lombart Healthcare, Marco Healthcare, Enhanced Medical Services (EMS), Veatch Ophthalmic, Santinelli International, S4Optik, and INNOVA Medical.
Staley began his career in 1993. Before joining AEC, he was a CEO and co-investor at GSI Group Holdings. Before that, he served as the COO at VISION EASE. Earlier in his career, Staley worked with Air Products as an operations manager. He graduated from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business with an MBA and from the U.S. Naval Academy with an undergraduate degree in physics.
12. Shirley Wong
Company: BeiGene
Title: Executive Director, Disease Area Head for Solid Tumors of BeiGene US Medical Affairs
Shirley Wong began her professional career 24 years ago. Today, she is the Executive Director, Disease Area Head for Solid Tumors within Medical Affairs at BeiGene, a global biotechnology company that is discovering and developing innovative oncology treatments that are more accessible and affordable to cancer patients worldwide. They have a commercial presence in more than 60 markets, with products treating various forms of cancer.
Wong got her start in 1999 as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and practiced at UF Health Jacksonville as a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist, specialized in Hematology/Oncology, Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant, before eventually rising to Oncology Field Medical Director at Pfizer prior to joining BeiGene. Wong graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a PharmD.
13. Chuck Forcier
Company: Exelixis
Title: Senior Director, National Accounts, Trade and Strategic Partners
Chuck Forcier is the Senior Director of National Accounts, Trade and Strategic Partners at Exelixis. After operating in the challenging biotech sector for more than 25 years, Exelixis has a proven track record of resiliency in the face of adversity. Every Exelixis employee is united in an ambitious cause: to launch innovative medicines that give patients and their families hope for the future.
On top of that, the success of the company’s lead product has provided a solid commercial foundation – allowing them to reinvigorate their research efforts, and grow their team in areas such as Drug Discovery, Clinical Development, and Commercial. Forcier joined Exelixis in 2014 as an oncology account manager. Previously, he was an executive oncology sales specialist at Eli Lilly and Company. Before that, he served as a senior sales manager at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Forcier earned an undergraduate degree from Villanova University.
Chuck Forcier Insights
I’m honored to be recognized as a top Healthcare Technology leader in my hometown of Jacksonville, FL. At Exelixis, we are on a mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer. I’ve had a rewarding 25+ year career in the biotechnology industry serving doctors, pharmacists, and most notably, the patients with cancer we work tirelessly to support.
14. Scott Arnold
Company: Laerdal Medical
Title: Vice President, Healthcare Providers
Scott Arnold is the Vice President of Healthcare Providers at Laerdal Medical, a world leader in healthcare education and resuscitation training. By using immersive technologies and data-centric insights, Laerdal Medical empowers lifesavers and healthcare workers to save more lives. Arnold began his career in 1992.
Before joining Laerdal Medical, Arnold was a paramedic at Western Connecticut Health Network. Before that, he served as a coordinator of emergency medical services at Danbury Hospital. Earlier in his career, he worked with STAMFORD EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES as a lead paramedic. Arnold graduated from Sacred Heart University with an MBA and from Springfield College with an undergraduate degree in emergency medical services management.
15. Mark Williams
Company: Corza Medical
Title: Channel Partner and Senior Manager
Mark Williams is the Channel Partner and Senior Manager at Corza Medical, a leading global manufacturer of innovative surgical technologies. With a global team of over 2,300 employees supporting clinicians, distributors and medical device companies worldwide, Corza provides healthcare professionals a platform of surgical technologies with industry-leading brands.This includes brands like Quill® barbed sutures, Sharpoint® Plus and Look™ surgical sutures, Katena® reusable and Blink™ single use ophthalmic instruments, Sharpoint® ophthalmic, and the TachoSil® fibrin sealant patch.
Williams, an industry veteran, got his start in 1993 as a regional sales representative at Instrument Associates. From there, he went on to Surgical Sales Associates, before eventually rising to senior regional sales manager at Southeastern US for Volk Optical, his most recent position prior to joining Corza Medical. Williams graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with an undergraduate degree in management and economics.
16. Adam Yanchunas
Company: Pharmalogic
Title: Senior Director of Project Management
Adam Yanchunas is the Senior Director of Project Management at Pharmalogic, a leading provider of nuclear medicine services in North America with over 40 radio pharmacies and 9 cyclotrons across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company manufactures radioactive materials in cGMP facilities and compounds patient-specific drugs that are tagged with radioactive isotopes for use in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, clinical trials, and in drug development.
Pharmalogic operates under a decentralized model with local market brands, including Isologic Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals, Hot Shots, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Mid-America Isotopes, and Nuclear Diagnostic Products, among many others. Yanchunas joined Pharmalogic in 2020. Previously, he was a project manager of North America clinical upgrades at IBA. Before that, he served as a project manager at Tyco SimplexGrinnell. Earlier in his career, he worked with the United States Marine Corps as an operations and maintenance manager. Yanchunas earned an undergraduate degree from Western Governors University.
17. Kristen Butler
Company: Pharmacosmos Therapeutics
Title: Director of Key Accounts
Kristen Butler is the Director of Key Accounts at Pharmacosmos Therapeutics. Notably, Pharmacosmos Therapeutics, the U.S. affiliate of Pharmacosmos, has been established to pursue FDA approval of and ultimately commercialize Pharmacosmos products in the US market. The company is creating a collaborative, performance-based culture in which employees are recognized and rewarded for the value they bring to the organization and empowered to do meaningful work.
Butler began her career in 2005. Before joining Pharmacosmos Therapeutics, she was a district sales manager at Ironshore Pharmaceuticals. Before that, she served as a specialty district sales manager at Avadel Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in her career, she worked with KV Pharmaceutical as a specialty representative and district trainer. Butler graduated from Cornell University with an MHA and from Methodist University with an undergraduate degree in health care administration and management.
18. Aaron Baratta
Company: Currax Pharmaceuticals
Title: Vice President of Sales
Aaron Baratta joined Currax in June 2019 as Vice President of Sales. His expertise is in launching new companies focused on sales and culture development. Currax Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical business focused on acquiring and commercializing prescription medicines worldwide. The company distributes a range of both branded and generic pharmaceutical products, including CONTRAVE® (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl), Silenor® (doxepin), and Treximet® (sumatriptan/naproxen sodium), among others.
Baratta has over 20 years of pharmaceutical experience in various sales leadership positions. Prior to Currax, he was Group Vice President of Sales at Horizon Pharma, where he reported to the GM’s for 3 separate business units. During this time, sales for DUEXIS, VIMOVO, and PENNSAID 2% grew from under $80 million to $600 million in 3 years. Prior to Horizon, Baratta helped build 3 start-up pharmaceutical companies with Victory Pharma, Cornerstone Biopharma, and Biovail – all in sales leadership roles launching new salesforces. Baratta holds a BA in marketing from Arizona State University.
19. Jerry Morrow
Company: Marketlab
Title: Vice President of Sales
Jerry Morrow is the Vice President of Sales at Marketlab, a market-leading healthcare solutions organization specializing in the design, manufacturing and sourcing of private label products. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Marketlab's success is built upon a foundation of collaboration, innovation, and the belief that every team member plays a vital role in creating an exceptional customer service experience.
Morrow joined the company in 2022. Previously, he was President at Morrow Integrated Solutions. Before that, he served as COO at AvMEDICAL. Earlier in his career, he worked with PSS as a sales representative. Morrow holds an undergraduate degree from Florida State University.
20. Michelle Sexton
Company: Omnicell Specialty Pharmacy Services
Title: Vice President of Pharmacy Management Business Development
An industry veteran, Michelle Sexton is the Vice President of Pharmacy Management Business Development at Omnicell Specialty Pharmacy Services. Since 1992, Omnicell has been committed to transforming the pharmacy care delivery model in an effort to optimize financial and clinical outcomes across all settings of care. Through a comprehensive portfolio of automation and advanced services, Omnicell is uniquely positioned to address evolving healthcare challenges, connect settings of care, and streamline the medication management process.
Healthcare facilities worldwide partner with Omnicell to help increase operational efficiency, reduce medication errors, improve patient safety, and enhance patient engagement and adherence, helping to reduce costly hospital readmissions. Sexton began her career in 2000. Before joining Omnicell Specialty Pharmacy Services, she served as a national sales director at Caremark. Before that, Sexton was a provider relations director at Humana. Sexton graduated from Nova Southeastern University with an MBA.
21. David Gravett
Company: Poly-Med
Title: Vice President of Strategy
David Gravett is the Vice President of Strategy at Poly-Med, the leader in the design and production of bioresorbable products. Notably, Gravett brings over 20 years of experience working with small to mid-sized companies in the medical device, combination product, and drug delivery fields. An inventor on 18 issued US patents and over 130 US patent applications, he’s developed numerous drug and combination devices that utilize a range of biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. Gravett first partnered with Poly-Med in 1998 when he was developing drug-device combination products at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals as the company’s Vice President of Formulations and Polymer Chemistry.
Before joining Poly-Med, Gravett served as the Vice President of Research and Development at Carbylan Therapeutics. During this time, Gravett led the development of the product, the preclinical safety studies, and the development of the clinical manufacturing process, taking the product from concept through to the completion of a Phase III clinical study. A native of South Africa, Gravett completed his undergraduate degree and MSc at the University of Natal in South Africa. He received his PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Toronto. Gravett then stayed in Toronto and completed a NSERC industrial Postdoc at Pasteur-Merieux-Connaught, where he investigated the targeted delivery of DNA vaccines via liposomes, as well as the use of PLGA microspheres as delivery vehicles for vaccines.
22. David Pacella
Company: VirtuOx
Title: Vice President of Sales
David Pacella is the Vice President of Sales at VirtuOx, a healthcare information technology company that provides diagnostic tools and services that enable a variety of healthcare organizations and professionals to diagnose and treat diseases through vertically integrated platforms, products, and services.
Pacella joined the company in 2018. Previously, he was a regional sales director at NovaSom. Before that, he served as a specialty sales representative at Atley Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, he worked with Advanced PE as an owner and operator. Pacella holds an undergraduate degree in general studies from the University of Maryland.
23. Stephen Kovary
Company: Excellis Health Solutions
Title: Executive Vice President
Stephen Kovary is the Executive Vice President of Excellis Health Solutions, where he is responsible for overseeing the project/client delivery aspects for the company, while directly managing Account Managers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Excellis, which is part of the NNIT Group as a subsidiary, provides end-to-end consulting and project management services for a wide range of organizations — from established Fortune 500 companies to start-ups. Notably, Kovary is a pharma industry veteran with over 35 years of experience.
During Kovary’s lengthy career, he has been responsible for leading production sites in the operational aspects of scale-up, tech transfer, validation, planning, manufacturing, packaging and the distribution of pharmaceutical products. In 2018, he joined Excellis. Since then, Kovary has worked with a full spectrum of clients to assess current statuses, develop comprehensive strategies, and implement project plans for assuring compliance with the DSCSA regulations throughout the entire pharmaceutical supply chain (from packagers to dispensers). Kovary graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an MBA and from Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in pharmacy.
24. Jonathan Carlos
Company: Empire Managed Solutions
Title: Vice President of Sales
Jonathan Carlos began his professional career 23 years ago. Today, he is the Vice President of Sales at Empire Managed Solutions, a top provider of PPE/Medical supplies to many industries. They started this company as a way to provide low cost, high quality products to companies, households, and businesses across the United States.
Carlos got his start in 2000 as a fast-food franchise operator and food service safety coordinator at FSU. From there, he went on to serve as an area operations manager at Extended Stay America. Later, he worked as the national director of operations for Empire Hospitality, his most recent position prior to joining Empire Managed Solutions. Carlos graduated from Florida State University with an undergraduate degree in political science.
25. Joel Batten
Company: Veru
Title: Executive Vice President, GM and Head of Infectious Disease Franchise
Joel Batten is an Executive Vice President, General Manager, and Head of the Infectious Disease Franchise at Veru. A Wisconsin-based corporation, Veru is the successor to The Wisconsin Pharmacal Company (Wisconsin Pharmacal), an organization that manufactured and marketed disparate specialty chemical and branded consumer products. Notably, Wisconsin Pharmacal was originally incorporated in 1971. Batten joined the company in 2022.
Most recently, Batten was the Head of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Franchise at Sobi North America, where he was responsible for the Synagis business with gross revenue of approximately $600 million – and a team of over 160 employees. While there, Batten led sales and marketing for the RSV Franchise. He also led strategy for market access, distribution, and patient access services. Prior to Sobi, he spent approximately 20 years in a number of positions of increasing responsibility at AstraZeneca/MedImmune and Sanofi Aventis. Batten holds an undergraduate degree in communications and public relations from the University of North Florida.
