PROVIDENCE, R.I. – June 2, 2026 – Today, the Rhode Island Life Science Hub (RILSH) Board of Directors announced it has nominated Bob Cormier to serve as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We are pleased to nominate Bob for the role of President and CEO,” said Will Tsonos, RILSH Chair. “With the recent opening of Ocean State Labs, investment in promising technologies and therapies, and the growth of the industry across Rhode Island, this is an exciting time. Bob’s extensive experience, energy, and hands-on approach will continue to drive forward the momentum of RILSH and Rhode Island’s life sciences.”
A Rhode Islander for more than 30 years, Cormier brings more than 25 years of medical-device and healthcare experience spanning high-growth startups to mid-size companies to a Fortune 500 enterprise. Cormier most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of privately held Sentec, a Swiss American respiratory and critical-care monitoring company with operations across North America and
Europe.
During his tenure, Cormier led the establishment of Sentec’s U.S. headquarters, located in Lincoln, R.I. He also led the company’s multi-year transformation, driving substantial revenue and company growth, including managing multiple acquisitions and integrations, transitioning to direct commercial models, strengthening clinical engagement, securing FDA and EU approvals across multiple product lines, and advancing global go-to-market capabilities.
“Rhode Island’s life science industry has been a key focus sector for my administration, and our investment is paying off,” said Governor McKee. “RILSH is a vital part of this work, and I am confident Bob will build upon the strong foundation that has been laid to date.”
“Bob is well positioned to take RILSH and our life science industry to the next level,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. “Bob knows firsthand what it takes to build a bioscience company from idea to startup to successful business. He understands the life science industry and the potential for its growth within our state. Bob’s vision, passion, and experience are exactly what we need to further
strengthen our competitiveness and our progress in this field.”
Prior to joining Sentec, Cormier was a founding member of the health-analytics startup Health Data Analytics Institute. He has additionally held senior roles at Covidien as well as advisor and employee roles across small, mid-size, and large companies including Aspect Medical Systems and Tyco Healthcare. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law.
“Years of work have brought Rhode Island to this point, and it shows — the research, the talent, and the momentum are all here,” said Cormier. “After 25 years in the industry — seeing products reach patients and companies scale — I understand what it takes to carry this foundation forward, and I’m honored to do that work here at home with RILSH. Together we can build a self-sustaining, nationally recognized life science economy where companies choose to hire, grow, and stay.”
Over the past three months, the RILSH Board has conducted a search to fill the organization’s President and CEO role, interviewing more than 15 candidates. Cormier’s name has been submitted to the Rhode Island Senate for advice and consent.