Salt Lake City-based clinical research company CenExel has announced that its board of directors has hired Stuart Goldblatt as the company’s new CEO. Former CEO Tom Wardle has become executive chairman of the board of directors. The transition was effective on July 17.

“We are very excited to have a seasoned executive such as Stuart join our team to help us continue on our path as the premier therapeutically focused and fully integrated clinical research site network in{mprestriction ids="1,3"} the United States,” said Wardle.

Goldblatt brings an array of knowledge and experience within pharmaceutical research to his new role, with more than 30 years of experience specifically within the field. Goldblatt will have leadership responsibilities for all aspects of CenExel, including the development of strategies, goals, policies and achievement of financial goals and growth, the company said.

Prior to joining CenExel, Goldblatt was president and CEO of Cliantha Research North America, a mid-sized, full-service contract research organization. Prior to Cliantha, he served as chief of staff, organizational effectiveness, reporting to the CEO of LabCorp Drug Development, where he led sales management and operational delivery improvements. Before LabCorp, Goldblatt spent two decades at Quintiles as vice president and in a variety of senior leadership roles.

“I am absolutely thrilled to join CenExel and collaborate with such an established national team of industry thought leaders and high-quality research facilities,” said Goldblatt. “CenExel’s existing Centers of Excellence will continue to partner and forge even deeper relationships with biopharmaceutical, biotech, and CROs, thereby reducing drug development timelines and costs. I remain keen to continue the deliberate growth trajectory CenExel has been maintaining.”{/mprestriction}