Merle Symes
CEO - Graematter, Inc.

Merle Symes currently serves as the CEO for Graematter, Inc. who has developed the first Regulatory Intelligence System.  Prior to Graematter, Merle consulted for 10 years in the areas of innovation and strategy for senior management teams of firms ranging from Fortune 500 companies to new ventures.  He has developed a number of innovation principles and tools being used by organizations to accelerate innovation and growth.     

Prior to consulting, Merle served in senior corporate positions for over 25 years.  His last position was President of Ulrich Medical, the U.S. subsidiary of a German medical device company.  Prior to that he held the position of Vice President, External Technology for Bausch & Lomb where his organization established a process for locating and acquiring external technology that was recognized by the Corporate Executive Board as being one of the top five best practices as identified in their research of major companies.  Merle has served in leadership positions in both the U.S. and Europe.  Prior to Bausch & Lomb, he held positions in Wyeth (now part of Pfizer), Monsanto and Dupont.  He has served on the boards of directors of both public and privately held companies as well as charitable organizations.  He is affiliated with and serves as a Managing Director of The Walden Group, a boutique New York investment bank specializing in M&A in the medical industry. 

Merle has an MBA from the Wharton Graduate School and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology where he has been honored with their Distinguished Alumni Award and serves on their University Advisory Board.