Billy McKnight steps up to become general manager of informatics businesses, following the resignation of Gordon Logan, while Kevin Smith becomes VP of informatics in North America
Thermo LabSystems has announced that Billy McKnight, previously of Thermo Electron's analytical instruments division, has been appointed general manager of the informatics business, effective immediately.
McKnight's new role covers management of both Thermo LabSystems and Thermo Galactic businesses.
He was appointed to this position following the 25 April resignation of Gordon Logan, former managing director of Thermo LabSystems and president of Thermo Electron's informatics division. McKnight has been with Thermo for more than 18 years, initially starting in 1984 at VG Masslab, where he was appointed managing director in 1998.
Most recently, he was managing director of both the Thermo Finnigan GC/GC-MS and the Thermo Hypersil-Keystone businesses.
During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in creating and managing key software products, including Open Access, Discovery, Xaminer, and ToxLab, that make sophisticated LC-MS and GC-MS analysis easy for even novice instrument operators.
Commenting on the personnel changes, Marc Casper, president of Thermo Electron's life and laboratory sciences sector, stated: "Gordon Logan joined Thermo LabSystems in 1989 and was instrumental in establishing the company as the world's leading provider of laboratory informatics solutions and services.
A central part of our strategy going forward for the life and laboratory sciences sector is to provide our customers with sample-in, knowledge-out solutions, and clearly, informatics is key.
Billy's leadership in the integration of instrument and software solutions made him an obvious choice for this important position.
His appointment will also ensure that our customer's investment in our informatics solutions is maximised." Another recent Thermo management appointment is that of Kevin Smith to the new position of vice president, informatics in North America, reporting to Billy McKnight.
Kevin Smith was most recently director of electronic record management, where he had responsibility for business development for Thermo LabSystems's products and services in the areas of electronic record keeping and knowledge management.
He also managed the acquisition in March 2001 of Galactic Industries and its subsequent integration into Thermo's informatics business.
