Executive Moves is an occasional feature on ROI-NJ.com describing some of the important personnel changes in the New Jersey business community. Reports are based on news releases, edited for content, clarity and style.
Frank Attalla, EisnerAmper LLP
EisnerAmper LLP is pleased to announce that Frank Attalla has joined the firm as a partner in the Financial Services Group.
Attalla has more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and 20 years focused in the financial services sector. He provides audits of and consulting services for private investment companies, public mutual funds and closed-end funds, hedge funds, ETFs, private equity funds, fund of funds, investment management companies, in addition to introducing broker-dealers.
Attalla has expertise in funds with a wide spectrum of strategies and financial instruments, including long and short equities, commodity pools, distressed debt, structured credit, private loans and private investments, with the funds ranging from $10 million to $4 billion of nets assets. Prior to joining the firm, he was an audit partner with a Big Four accounting firm and led audits of both public and private companies in the investment management sector.
Amit Bhalla, Infinity BiologiX
Infinity BiologiX, a leading next-generation central laboratory providing sample collection and processing, storage, analytical services, and scientific and technical support, announced the latest addition to its executive team, naming Amit Bhalla as vice president and chief financial officer.
In this role, Bhalla will be tasked with leading IBX’s financial functions as the company enters its next phase of growth following its August spinoff from Rutgers University. He joins IBX at a time of rapid progress. Earlier this year, IBX received FDA emergency use authorization for its innovative COVID-19 saliva test, which was the first test to utilize saliva as the primary biomaterial for SARS-CoV-2. The company now has the capacity to process 100,000 tests daily and recently opened an additional lab in Minnesota with an additional 30,000 tests daily, to serve the state’s testing needs. IBX also just announced the launch of the company’s Vaccine Storage Program, which will be used to support both the ultra-low temperature storage and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Steve Blazejewski, Katena Products
Katena Products, a leading provider of ophthalmic instruments, biologics, and devices, is pleased to announce that Steve Blazejewski has joined as CEO.
As a seasoned executive, Blazejewski brings impressive leadership experience and medical device knowledge to Katena. He has previously served as president of medical solutions at Cardinal Health and, before that, held various general management positions at both Medtronic and Covidien.
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Mark P. Cantaluppi, TenFour
TenFour, a transformative IT Infrastructure-as-a-Service company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Mark P. Cantaluppi to CEO. This promotion enables TenFour’s founder, Bruce Flitcroft, to focus on the evolution of the company’s strategy while deepening co-marketing and sales partnerships with key industry players as the company’s chief strategy officer.
Cantaluppi joined TenFour in February 2020 as the chief financial officer, bringing over 25 years of success as an executive with leadership expertise in growth businesses. His experience includes being the executive in charge of administration, accounting and finance, financial reporting, governance, and risk management with a focus on corporate strategy and execution. Prior to joining TenFour, Cantaluppi served as vice president and CFO of Reis Inc. a subscription-based business designed to help professionals with capital at risk in commercial real estate make better investment decisions.
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Alisia Gill, EmpiRx Health
EmpiRx Health, the industry’s only value-based pharmacy benefit manager, is pleased to announce Alisia Gill has joined as the company’s new chief people officer. Gill is charged with all facets of the organization’s talent management and workforce optimization strategy, with the goal of driving a culture that embodies empathy, equity and belonging as the company continues its trajectory as the fastest growing PBM.
In 2020, EmpiRx Health was recognized as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. National Employee Engagement Study. A key component for its strong scores is the company’s talent strategy that centers on diversity, equity and inclusion, resulting in more than 60% female representation in leadership and across the organization. EmpiRx Health understands that a culture of belonging that supports different perspectives at all levels is essential for a thriving team, and ultimately high-growth and innovation.
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Cheryl McCants, Impact Consulting Enterprises
Cheryl McCants recently accepted recognition for her 30-plus years of professional excellence from Marquis Who’s Who as well as new positions within the New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council.
McCants is included in the Marquis Who’s Who list of noteworthy individuals as a result of her accomplishments and prominence in her field. As CEO and president of Impact Consulting Enterprises, a strategic diversity, equity and inclusion communication, marketing and public relations firm headquartered in East Orange, McCants tells award-winning stories and advocates for minority voices with her work. She also recently joined the council’s board of directors and became chairperson of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee.
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Louis Mezzina, Prager Metis
Prager Metis, a leading accounting and advisory firm with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, welcomes Louis Mezzina as a senior adviser in its Not-for-Profit Services Practice. The CPA brings to the firm more than 40 years of experience serving not-for-profit institutions, and will be based out of Prager Metis’ New York City office.
Mezzina has worked closely with well over 100 colleges, universities and other not-for-profit organizations, including AARP, American Heart Association, the Archdiocese of New York, Duke University, Fordham University, Johns Hopkins University, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the March of Dimes, Metropolitan Opera, the New York Community Trust and Wildlife Conservation Society. Beyond accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, he has assisted organizations and the nonprofit sector with respect to operations, risk management, and governance.
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Oyster Point Pharma Inc.
Oyster Point Pharma Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class pharmaceutical therapies to treat ocular surface diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. Marian Macsai as chief medical officer, and Eric Carlson as chief scientific officer, both of whom will join the executive leadership team.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Drs. Macsai and Carlson to the executive leadership team at Oyster Point, as both will help expand and strengthen our organization during this time of unprecedented growth,” said Jeffrey Nau, CEO and president at Oyster Point Pharma. “Based on their industry expertise and unique experience in ocular surface diseases, Marian and Eric will add tremendous value to the organization and strategically grow their respective teams as we head into a pivotal year of expansion across our pipeline and with the potential for approval and launch of our lead investigational therapy, OC-01 (varenicline) nasal spray, for dry eye disease in 2021.”
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Dr. Sumitra Pillai, Slayback Pharma
Slayback Pharma LLC announced the appointment of Dr. Sumitra Pillai as vice president and the new head of research & development. Pillai will be based out of Slayback’s Hyderabad, India, office.
Pillai is a highly accomplished scientist with a stellar track record in the development and scale-up of highly complex, differentiated and difficult-to-make generics. Prior to joining Slayback, Sumitra was the vice president of research and development at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, where she was instrumental in successful development of numerous complex injectables and ophthalmic products.
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Dr. Nadja West, Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson announced that Dr. Nadja West, retired Army lieutenant general and former Army surgeon general, has been appointed to its board of directors.
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Nadja West to Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors,” said Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO. “Nadja is an accomplished health care leader with a strong commitment to public service, and she brings an impressive and unique combination of business and leadership expertise to Johnson & Johnson. I look forward to Nadja’s contributions to the board as we continue our pursuit of improving the health of families around the world at such an important moment in time.”
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