CEO Departures

Ubl to depart PhRMA

Steve Ubl, the longest-tenured CEO in the history of the $521M-revenue Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), will step down at year end, the board announced April 8. 

Beginning in 2015, he managed the group during the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Trump again, and is credited with boosting PhRMA’s advocacy and political efforts and making the association more influential. According to the board statement, Ubl focused the group on innovation and added new members included large biopharmaceutical companies Gilead and Genentech. 

But the political environment in Washington in recent years was unfavorable to the industry, and PhRMA was unable to prevent the enactment of Medicare drug price negotiation as part of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and was at odds with the second Trump administration on drug pricing.

Ubl also led a multiyear push to “rein in abuses” by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), with some success, the board statement said. The industry blames PBM companies for inflating drug prices. The battle over PBM practices was expensive and bruising. JC Scott — who once worked for Ubl at medical device trade group AdvaMed — stepped down as CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, at the end of last year.

“Steve has been an exceptional leader during one of the most consequential periods for our industry, and his commitment to ensuring a thoughtful transition will leave PhRMA stronger and well positioned for the future,” board chair Rob Davis, CEO of Merck, said in the statement.

PhRMA’s board will begin a search for Ubl’s successor, according to the statement.

Health & Fitness Association CEO Liz Clark to Step Down

The $11M-revenue Health and Fitness Association (HFA) and their CEO Liz Clark have agreed to a leadership change, with Clark leaving her role on July 26. She has held the CEO position since 2021, succeeding then interim president and CEO Brent Darden.

“Liz stepped into one of the most challenging periods in this industry’s recent history and helped lead HFA through it with real resolve,” said board president Luke Carlson.

Clark previously served as senior vice president of public policy at National Confectioners Association for more than ten years, and in director roles at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Chelsea Piers Connecticut Executive Director and Vice President Greta Wagner will support the HFA board during the leadership transition.

Staff Departures

Financial Services Forum — Tiffany Haas has left the $27M-revenue Financial Services Forum to launch her own consulting firm, Haas Strategies. Hass joined the forum’s government relations team in 2018.

Staff Arrivals 

The Specialty Equipment Market Association —Tierra Hubbard has been promoted to director of government affairs at The Specialty Equipment Market Association and its Performance Racing Industry subsidiary. She recently served as a lobbyist for Goff Public.

Animal Health Institute — Ellen J. Hart has joined the $6M-revenue Animal Health Institute as vice president of regulatory and international affairs. She was previously director of international programs and outreach at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

American Beverage Association — Michael Monrroy has joined the $104M-revenue American Beverage Association as senior director of state government affairs. He previously managed state affairs at the National Restaurant Association.

The Blockchain Association — Chris Jonas has been promoted to senior vice president of strategic communications. 

     In addition, Mara Abiera has been promoted to director of member services of the $7M-revenue organization. Abierra and Jonas both joined the association in 2022. 

American Clean Power Association — Claudia Hernandez has joined the $67M-revenue American Clean Power Association as director of public relations. She most recently was national press secretary and senior writer at the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

America’s Credit Unions — Kathleen Coulombe has joined the $104M-revenue America’s Credit Union as chief advocacy officer. She previously worked at the American Council of Life Insurers, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Department of Defense.