News & Events | Blood Center Appoints New Finance Officer

FEBRUARY 9, SEATTLE — Puget Sound Blood Center, which has provided 60 years of transfusion and transplantation services to the community, recently appointed Robert J. Gleason, C.P.A., as its new executive vice president of finance. Mr. Gleason will assume overall responsibility for finance and accounting, as well as the materials management function at the non-profit organization.

Unlike most blood centers in the United States, Puget Sound Blood Center provides blood, tissue and specialized medical services to regional hospitals and conducts research. As the organization broadens its research, builds upon its medical and transplantation services and continues to supply the community’s growing need for blood, Mr. Gleason’s extensive experience in financial management will be of significant value to the Blood Center.

“Mr. Gleason’s appointment comes at a pivotal time in the Blood Center’s evolution,” stated Dr. Richard Counts, president of Puget Sound Blood Center. We are extremely pleased to have someone of his qualifications at the Blood Center as our programs, services and research continue to expand to meet the needs of the area’s leading medical centers and the patients we serve.”

Prior to his appointment at the Blood Center, Mr. Gleason served as regional chief financial officer at Omnicare, a large pharmacy services company based in Perrysburg, Ohio. The company serves the nursing home, assisted-living, home health and community hospital communities. There, Gleason formulated strategies that decreased expenses and costs by more than $1 million annually. Previous to Omnicare, Mr. Gleason served as CFO for Pipeliner Systems, as director of financial operations at Voca Corp., and as an audit manager and senior accountant for Price Waterhouse Coopers. He earned a B.S. in Accounting from Hunter College of the City University of New York, where he graduated cum laude in 1977. He received his C.P.A in 1984.

“I am extremely impressed with the work of the Blood Center, from its blood, tissue and medical services, to the world-class research conducted here,” says Gleason. “Puget Sound Blood Center plays a vital role in ensuring the continued health of this community and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the Blood Center’s mission.”

About The Puget Sound Blood Center
Celebrating 60 years in the community, the Blood Center is internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine. The nonprofit Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The Blood Center, which serves patients in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties with blood services, provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.