About

Douglas Morton serves as Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Blood Bank, where he leads the organization’s strategic vision to ensure a safe and sustainable blood supply for the region. With a focus on operational excellence, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, Douglas is committed to strengthening SDBB’s role as a vital community health partner.

Since joining SDBB in 2000, Douglas has played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s capabilities, guiding long-term growth, and building resilient systems to support both day-to-day operations and future readiness. His leadership journey, from operational roles to the executive team, reflects a deep commitment to organizational mission, culture, and community service.

He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Point Loma Nazarene University and brings a systems-thinking approach to organizational leadership, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to mission-driven service.

Outside the office, Douglas enjoys coaching youth sports and raising service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities.

Bill became KBC’s fifth President and CEO in October, 2008. Prior to relocating to Lexington, Bill worked in senior management positions at large blood centers in San Antonio (4 years) and Indianapolis (10 years). Bill received his BA from Indiana University and followed up with his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Kentucky Blood center, the largest Food and Drug Administration licensed blood bank headquartered in Kentucky, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC relies on volunteers to collect 400 pints of blood per day to meet area patients’ needs. Over the last year KBC distributed nearly 130,000 blood components.

KBC employs more than 240 people who provide professional expertise to recruit donors, collect blood donations, process and test donated units and distribute blood products to hospitals. To be able to provide this service, KBC has five donor centers (Beaumont and Andover locations in Lexington and one each in Louisville, Pikeville and Somerset) and also provides mobile donation opportunities throughout the region.

All blood that is collected by KBC is returned to the Beaumont Donor Center where it is processed, prepared and stored for shipment to Kentucky hospitals.

Kimberly Kinsell serves as LifeSouth’s president and CEO. Previously, she served as LifeSouth’s general counsel, overseeing legal, human resources, quality assurance and training departments.

Kimberly graduated from the University of Florida in 1995 and earned her juris doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1999. After graduation, Kim worked for the State Attorney’s Office before taking on the role as LifeSouth’s general counsel in 2004. In April 2015, she received her Executive MBA from the University of Florida, where she also served as adjunct professor at the College of Public Health and Health Professions. In addition, Kimberly serves on the boards of America’s Blood Centers (where she serves as president), the National Blood Collaborative, the National Blood Testing Cooperative and Biosharing Network. She also serves on both the Governance and Advanced Therapies Committees for Blood Centers of America. 

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Stacy Sime has helped LifeServe Blood Center grow to serve four Midwestern states and more than 175 community hospitals. She is active in the industry, serving as chair of Blood Centers of America, the National Blood Testing Cooperative and the National Blood Cooperative. She remains on the boards of all three organizations. Stacy participated in the AABB Administrative Think Tank, authoring a paper on furthering the relationships between blood centers and hospitals. Most recently she was appointed to represent the industry on the Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability.

Mike Parejko began his career as a medical technologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He later transitioned into business development roles for a medical technology supplier before returning to blood banking as Indiana Blood center’s (IBC) Vice President, Quality Systems in 2004.

A year later, he became IBC’s Vice President, Operations. He was named Chief Executive Officer of ImpactLife in 2014. Mike is active in leadership roles serving both our industry and community, including membership on the Board of Directors for America’s Blood Centers (past President 2019), Blood Centers of America, National Blood Collaborative, IT Synergistics, Robert Young Mental Health Center, and the John Deere Classic Board of Directors.

Harpreet Sandhu is Chief Executive Officer of Stanford Blood Center (SBC), having been with SBC since 2007. SBC’s core responsibilities include supporting local transfusion medicine programs through blood operations and donor testing, providing transplantation-related clinical testing through its molecular and serology HLA laboratories, and supporting the research community through access to human cellular components and testing services.

Harpreet is a board-certified clinical laboratory scientist, with specialties in transfusion and transplantation medicine, and with decades of professional experience spent in progressive managerial and leadership roles. Originally from Vancouver, Harpreet completed her undergraduate studies and training in Canada, and holds a Master of Science, Health Sciences (MSHS), and Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Harpreet currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the California Blood Bank Society (CBBS) and is the Immediate Past Chair of the board for Blood Centers of America (BCA). She serves on the boards of the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), National Blood Collaborative (NBC), National Blood Testing Cooperative (NBTC), Blood Centers of California (BCC), and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Collection and Auxiliary Services, LLC and, previously, the NMDP. In addition to her board service, she is a committee member for America’s Blood Centers (ABC).

Harpreet enjoys traveling and the outdoors, particularly hiking in the beautiful Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. She is also an avid hockey fan and cheers on the Vancouver Canucks!

Billy Weales has dedicated 35 years to The Blood Center, serving as President/CEO since 2006. Originally stepping in as interim CEO for 90 days, he was officially appointed after guiding the organization through its post-Katrina recovery, overcoming severe facility damage and operational challenges.

Billy began his TBC career as a Distribution Tech I, quickly rising through the ranks to Supervisor, Recruitment Manager, Director, and Vice President of Hospital and Community Resources before taking the helm. His leadership has expanded hospital partnerships, diversified revenue streams, improved employee benefits, and advanced TBC’s adoption of new technologies.

With experience spanning donor recruitment, collections, manufacturing, distribution, risk management, and finance, Billy brings a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the blood banking process. He is also active on several industry boards, advocating for collaboration and innovation in community blood centers nationwide.

From making his own blood donations to championing fundraising and outreach efforts, Billy’s hands-on approach reflects his lifelong commitment to saving lives through blood donation.

Nikhil Nayak serves as President and CEO of Gulf Coast Blood, driving innovation and shaping the future of blood banking. Since joining the organization on January 1, 2024, he has brought a fresh vision and dynamic leadership, positioning the organization for continued growth and impact.

Before joining Gulf Coast Blood, Nikhil served as Chief Business Officer at San Diego Blood Bank, where he spearheaded the Innovation Development Team, driving forward-thinking initiatives in blood services. He has over 25 years of experience in relevant health and life sciences with a significant focus on strategy, marketing, business development, global product management, operations, finance, quality management, and corporate communications. His career spans leadership roles in pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, and medical device organizations.

Nikhil holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA with concentrations in finance, marketing, and international business from NYU’s Stern School of Business. His passion for innovation and strategic growth continues to drive Gulf Coast Blood forward.

Rami Nemeh is President and CEO of Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC), a non-profit community blood center that delivers essential blood products and transfusion services to health systems across eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey. Since joining MKBC in 1998, Rami has accepted various leadership roles, including Laboratory Director, Executive Director, and Chief Operating Officer.

In January 2025, he was appointed President and CEO of Hospital Central Services, Inc. & Affiliates, the parent company of MKBC. An unwavering advocate for employee and talent development, Rami is committed to creating an environment where individuals thrive and reach their full potential. He stands firmly behind MKBC’s vital mission of saving lives and enhancing community health. Rami holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Pathologist Assistant (Medical Science Laboratory) degree from the University of Aleppo and a certificate from the CEO Academy / Wharton Program.

Rami’s passion for sports was ignited in high school and has since flourished through college and into professional volleyball. He remains actively engaged in volleyball, tennis, and football, seizing every opportunity to participate whenever his schedule allows.

Christine Hayes serves as the President and CEO of the Central California Blood Center, bringing over 30 years of experience in the blood banking industry. She spent 22 years in leadership roles at LifeServe Blood Center, located in Des Moines Iowa, where she served as Chief Operating Officer. A graduate of Iowa State University, Christine has served on numerous blood banking industry boards, including Blood Centers of America, the National Blood Collaborative, National Blood Testing Cooperative, America’s Blood Centers, and the Association for Blood Donor Professionals, where she was a past President.