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UNOS names new CEO
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Brian M. Shepard has been named Chief Executive Officer of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). UNOS matches donated organs with transplant candidates nationwide and manages the national transplant database through a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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UNOS partnered with the executive search firm Spencer Stuart to conduct a nationwide search for its CEO. The final four candidates were interviewed in October, and a recommendation for CEO was approved by the board of directors on Nov. 6. Shepard is the third CEO in UNOS’ almost 30-year history. UNOS’ founding executive director Gene A. Pierce retired in 1995; his successor Walter K. Graham retired in December 2012.
“Brian has the vision and experience that the board was looking for to move UNOS into a new era of service to transplant professionals and the patients we serve,” said Kenneth Andreoni, MD, President of the UNOS Board of Directors. “With a focus on quality improvement, UNOS will continue to increase patients’ access to and benefit from life-changing organ transplantation.”
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Shepard joined UNOS in 2010 as the director of policy and has served as chief operating officer and interim CEO. Prior to joining UNOS, Shepard worked for 15 years in various high-level positions in Virginia state government, capped by a term as director of Policy in Governor Timothy M. Kaine’s administration. A native of Roanoke, Va., Shepard holds a bachelor's degree in history from Virginia Tech.
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