BioUtah, Utah's trade association serving the state's life sciences community, has announced significant leadership changes with Erin Barry, vice president of government affairs for Merit Medical Systems, appointed as new board chair and Andrew Hemmert, PhD, senior vice president of molecular research and development for bioMérieux, as new vice chair. These positions will become effective January 1, 2026, marking a strategic transition in the organization's governance. Barry, currently serving as board vice chair, will succeed Mark Paul, executive director of the Center for Medical Innovation at the University of Utah, who will remain on the board as immediate past chair and continue serving on the executive committee.
The leadership changes carry substantial implications for Utah's life sciences ecosystem, particularly in government relations and diagnostic innovation. At Merit Medical Systems, Barry oversees all local, state, and federal government relations in jurisdictions where the company operates manufacturing facilities or sales offices. Her expertise spans key policy areas including taxation, international trade and tariffs, FDA regulation, and economic incentives. Meanwhile, Hemmert leads global teams at bioMérieux focused on developing easy-to-use, rapid, and comprehensive molecular diagnostics, including the SpotFire system that delivers rapid results for point-of-care settings.
Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah, expressed gratitude for Paul's leadership, noting his strategic guidance has strengthened the organization and advanced Utah's life sciences community. The board anticipates Barry's leadership will further the mission and enhance the state's innovation ecosystem. These appointments come at a critical time as Utah's life sciences sector continues to expand its national and global footprint.
In addition to the leadership transitions, BioUtah has appointed three new board members effective immediately: Jim Fitzgerald, CEO of ATL Technology; Tracy George, MD, chief scientific officer and president of the Innovation Business Unit at ARUP Laboratories; and Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano. Fitzgerald brings over 15 years of executive leadership experience in medical device manufacturing, while Dr. George contributes extensive expertise in laboratory diagnostics and clinical trials as a professor of pathology at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Lowe adds more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and finance, including strategic oversight of licensing, financing, and acquisitions.
The board transitions also include the completion of terms for Jay Muse, president and CEO of Piper Access, and Michael Olson, corporate banking portfolio manager at Zions Bank, both recognized for eight years of dedicated service. Myles Greenberg, MD, will remain a board member but conclude his service on the executive committee after three years. BioUtah's governance now comprises 16 directors representing the diverse spectrum of Utah's life sciences industry, reflecting the sector's growing importance to the state's economy and healthcare advancement. For more information on the organization's governance, visit https://BioUtah.org.
