We challenge each other to
think and work differently.

Jody Simon, MS, RPh

President & CEO

In the pursuit of excellence that defines Commgenix, our leadership is anchored by individuals whose journeys epitomize dedication and visionary impact. Jody, a foundational leader, earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in 1983, a testament to his deep roots in healthcare. His entrepreneurial spirit blossomed early, as he successfully owned and operated a community-based retail pharmacy, gaining invaluable insight into patient and community needs.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to advancing medical understanding, Jody co-founded Cortex Communications, a pioneering medical education company, in 1995. This venture, later acquired by Health Answers, Inc., solidified his reputation for innovation in the medical communications landscape. Following his commitments there, Jody’s passion for groundbreaking solutions led him, alongside strategic partners, to establish Commgenix in 2000.

Beyond his role as CEO of Commgenix, Jody’s dedication to improving lives extends through his impactful leadership as a founder and current CEO of the Geriatric Oncology Consortium. This non-profit agency is steadfastly committed to elevating care for the elderly cancer population through vital clinical research and transformative education. Furthermore, as a managing partner in the Cancer Treatment Assessment Group, Jody is at the forefront of conducting essential outcomes research across diverse tumor types, continuously reinforcing our collective mission to make vital health knowledge universally clear and accessible, thereby transforming patient lives worldwide.

Howard McLeod, Pharm.D., FASCO, FCCP

Executive Medical Director, Precision Medicine

Dr. Howard McLeod is an internationally recognized expert in precision medicine, having made novel contributions at the discovery, translation, implementation, and policy levels. He is the Director and Professor at the Utah Tech University Center for Precision Medicine and Functional Genomics. He has implemented or advised implementation of precision medicine at integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and community practices in the USA and Internationally. Dr. McLeod was a recent member of both the FDA committee on Clinical Pharmacology and the NIH Human Genome Advisory Council. Dr. McLeod has been recognized as a Fellow of both the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He was recently recognized as #1 USA/#2 Global for Pharmacogenomics Expertise. He has also been an active Board Member and/or Founder for over a dozen privately held and publicly traded companies. Howard has published over 600 peer reviewed papers on precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, or cancer pharmacology with collaborators from over 40 countries. He continues to work to advance cutting-edge healthcare and early adoption of high impact innovation.

Heather Simon, MBA

Operations Officer

At Commgenix, our commitment to seamless execution and impactful outcomes is championed by leaders who understand every facet of our work. As our Operations Officer, Heather Simon brings a wealth of experience that is truly invaluable to our mission.

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare communications and pharma collaboration, Heather is far more than an operations expert; she is a seasoned strategic program leader with deep, specialized expertise in oncology and cardiology. Her career has been marked by proven success in developing and executing complex initiatives, including national-level CME programs, specialized tumor board programming, MSL training, and robust cross-functional education efforts across the life sciences sector.

Heather’s leadership in program design and delivery directly translates into the operational excellence we uphold at Commgenix. Highly skilled in strategic planning, meticulous team leadership, and flawless program execution, she ensures that every initiative is driven forward with precision and efficiency. Her passion for creating innovative, outcomes-driven programs directly supports Commgenix’s commitment to elevating clinical decision-making and ultimately improving patient care by ensuring our internal processes are as exceptional as the communications we deliver.

Stephen Huber, MS

Vice President, Clinical and Scientific Affairs

Steve Huber has more than 20 years of oncology experience, including 16 years at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) as Deputy Division Head of Pharmacy and Director of Pharmacoeconomics. He is a nationally recognized speaker on biotechnology, reimbursement, pharmacoeconomics, and strategic planning in health care. He has contributed to such journals as Hospital Formulary, American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, Annals of Internal Medicine, Seminars in Oncology, and Cancer. In addition, he has developed and managed Pharmacoeconomics, Reimbursement Assistance, and Clinical Pharmacy Programs at MDACC, where he maintains a research appointment to the Department of Symptom Management and Palliative Care.

Steve previously served as president of Cortex Communications, president and CEO of the medical education division of HealthAnswers, president of Medical and Scientific Affairs for Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, and was a founding partner of StratComm Partners, LLC.

Steve holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Master’s degree in Hospital Pharmacy from the University of Houston. Additionally, he completed a 2-year American Society of Hospital Pharmacists–accredited residency in hospital pharmacy at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston.

Jimmy DeMesa, MD, MBA

Key Opinion Leader

Our mission to make vital health knowledge universally clear and accessible is profoundly enriched by the insights of leading experts like Jimmy DeMesa, who serves as a distinguished Key Opinion Leader within our network.

For over 30 years, Jimmy has been a transformative biotechnology executive, ascending from critical roles in clinical, medical, and regulatory affairs to achieve senior executive (VP) and ultimately CEO positions. From 1995 to 2022, he helmed three innovative biotech companies, demonstrating exceptional strength in strategic planning, operational management, financial stewardship, and a myriad of other vital leadership activities.

Beyond his impressive corporate achievements, Jimmy is driven by a deeply personal mission: to be a “positive, creative force for health and happiness.” This philosophy seamlessly integrates with his professional life as a physician and executive. In his multifaceted journey, he has also dedicated himself to being a prolific writer, inspiring speaker, and a compassionate “happiness” coach, all avenues through which he has made remarkable strides in fulfilling his personal calling.

Jimmy DeMesa’s unique blend of rigorous scientific leadership, profound operational acumen, and a genuine passion for well-being makes him an invaluable voice in our commitment to advancing medical understanding and improving lives. His involvement, including his collaboration and shared vision with leaders like Jody Simon, reinforces Commgenix’s dedication to impactful relationships and healthier outcomes.

Jeffrey Damm

Brand Strategy & Development

With a decorated career spanning over four decades, Jeffrey is more than a seasoned creative leader; he has masterfully evolved from a talented illustrator and graphic designer into a visionary entrepreneur. An award-winning designer, Jeffrey has resided and worked in major creative hubs including Los Angeles, New York, and Tampa, having had the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s most prestigious brands.

Notably, Jeffrey’s journey includes a significant collaboration with our very own CEO, Jody Simon. As Vice President of Creative at Cortex Communications, he worked directly with Jody, laying a foundational level of creative service. Following that pivotal experience, Jeffrey continued to lend his exceptional talent to support Jody’s design initiatives for medical communication meetings at Commgenix, further cementing a shared vision for impactful communication.

Throughout his career, Jeffrey has partnered with an impressive roster of clients, including: Walt Disney, National Geographic, Trump International, HBO, National Public Radio, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Disney Interactive, Nickelodeon, Time Warner, NFL, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Astra Zeneca, Tampa General Hospital, Abbott, Bayer, Pfizer, Glaxo Smith Kline, Anazao Health, Stryker, USF Health, JPMorgan Chase, Smokey Robinson Foundation, Nokia, University of South Florida, and many more.

Jeffrey’s enduring commitment to bridging business strategy with creative expression, and his proven ability to deliver innovative work for world-class brands, makes him an invaluable asset to the Commgenix story and our ongoing mission.

Jaimee Damm

Insights & Research

At Commgenix, we understand that true impact is built on profound understanding. As our Chief Insights Officer, Jaimee Damm leads the charge in transforming complex data into the strategic clarity that drives our pioneering medical communication programs.

Jaimee brings a powerful blend of exceptional communication and analytical acumen, meticulously gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform strategic decision-making. Her robust foundation, including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and an A.A. Degree in Science, underpins her rigorous research capabilities. This academic discipline, combined with her work ethic and meticulous data management skills, ensures accuracy and reliability in handling complex information.

Her expertise was further honed as a Brand Strategist and Research Analyst at Sana Branding & Marketing, where she developed a deep understanding of business strategy, consumer behavior, and dynamic market forces. Jaimee excels at translating these intricate insights into actionable strategies, fostering effective collaboration and building strong relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and making a lasting impact within the business enterprise community, Jaimee’s dedication ensures that Commgenix remains at the forefront of delivering solutions that truly resonate and transform patient lives worldwide.