Getting to Know Blackrock: CFO, Nathan Smith

Experienced biotech and pharmaceutical finance executive Nathan Smith joined the company as our first Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, Nathan will lead Blackrock's finance organization, including infrastructure management, capital deployment, and investor relations. Prior to joining Blackrock this July, Nathan spent 14 years at Myriad Genetics, where he played a crucial role in growing its finance, investor relations and treasury departments - in fact, he was responsible for the divestiture of three unique business units, resulting in over $375 million in proceeds.?

Nathan took a moment from his busy day to sit down and share about himself and his vision with me - sharing a bit about his lovely spouse and how he spends time outside of the walls of work with his three children - but also what brought him to Blackrock, what's unique about the neurotech finance sector and his passion for driving innovation forward.?

After a decade spent dominating biological and pharmaceutical financial sectors, what about Blackrock made you take the plunge into neurotech?

I came to Blackrock because of what this company was doing - providing unique solutions to challenging problems. I was intrigued by the technology, the mission and the culture of Blackrock. That's what's most important to me - you can have the greatest technology in the world, but if you don't have the right team with you to drive the technology forward, it won't amount to much. That's why being CFO here makes sense and is so exciting. And the market is exciting, there's growth. We have the ability to change and impact people's lives.?

What was your reaction to first discovering BCI technology??

I've always viewed the brain as the Grand Central Station that controls our physical and mental highways. We can do everything that we can to keep it healthy but there's always the possibility of something happening that's outside our control - and solutions are needed.?

My first reaction to seeing a BCI was disbelief - like, this is real. Then wonder. Then amazement that this technology is in existence today and can be used to improve the lives of so people with so many difficult problems. My wonder and amazement turned to excitement that there's a company that has the capability to help so many people - and it gave me hope. If you've known anyone who has lost core functions, they may be able to have them again. That's why I came to Blackrock - we're providing the unique solutions to these difficult problems.?

Any advice for those interested in pursuing finance in the biotech/neurotech industry?

Finance is an interesting industry that opens the doors to many different worlds. Finance is a mechanism that allows us to be accountable and track progress with data.

I tell people to have depth in one specific area, but where you find value and even fulfillment in life actually comes from a breadth of experience - to be able to get outside of yourself and see the world from many perspectives actually allows you to be more objective in your approach to problem solving.

Being from Oklahoma, what's your comfort food?

You can't be from northwest Oklahoma and not have a nice filet mignon with potatoes and roasted veggies. That's my comfort food.

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We're thrilled to have you on board, CFO.