BioUtah, Utah's trade association serving the state's life sciences community, announced today Erin Barry, vice president of government affairs for Merit Medical Systems, as new board chair, and Andrew Hemmert, PhD, senior vice president of molecular research and development for bioMérieux, as new vice chair. Both positions will be effective January 1, 2026.
Ms. Barry, currently board vice chair, succeeds Mark Paul, executive director of the Center for Medical Innovation at the University of Utah. Mr. Paul will remain on the board as immediate past chair and serve on the executive committee.
At Merit, Ms. Barry oversees all the company's local, state, and federal government relations in jurisdictions where Merit has manufacturing facilities or sales offices. At bioMérieux, Dr. Hemmert leads global teams focused on creating easy-to-use, rapid, and comprehensive molecular diagnostics.
"We are exceedingly grateful for Mr. Paul's dedication, wisdom, and leadership over the past year," said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah. "His strategic guidance has strengthened the BioUtah organization and advanced our life sciences community. The board is excited to welcome Ms. Barry. We're confident she will help us boldly further our mission and enhance the state's innovation ecosystem."
In addition to these leadership changes, three new members have been appointed to the board, 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.
Ms. Barry joined Merit in 2015 and previously served as deputy director of government affairs for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and vice president of government affairs for Unspam. Dr. Hemmert's work at bioMérieux includes innovations in infectious disease diagnostics, such as the SpotFire system for point-of-care settings. Mr. Fitzgerald brings over 15 years of executive leadership in medical device and packaging companies. Dr. George, a professor of pathology at the University of Utah, received the College of American Pathologists Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Mr. Lowe has more than 30 years of experience, including C-suite roles in healthcare and finance.
Two board members, Jay Muse and Michael Olson, have completed their terms. Myles Greenberg, MD, who served as immediate past chair on the executive committee, will remain a board member but conclude his service on the executive committee. BioUtah thanks them for their dedicated service. For more information on the organization's governance, visit BioUtah.org.
BioUtah is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association serving Utah's life sciences industry, representing strengths in medical device manufacturing, research, biotechnology, and diagnostics.
