Gary Gordon
About Gary Gordon
Gary Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., age 73, was appointed to the TriSalus Life Sciences (TLSI) Board on January 29, 2025, as an independent director. He brings more than two decades of oncology drug development leadership (Ayala, AbbVie, Abbott; prior CSO at Ovation) and holds an M.D. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Biochemistry from SUNY Stony Brook . The Board has affirmatively determined Dr. Gordon is independent under Nasdaq standards (including for compensation committee service) .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayala Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Chief Medical Officer | Aug 2019 – Jan 2023 | Oncology clinical leadership |
| AbbVie Inc. | Vice President, Oncology Development | Jan 2013 – Apr 2018 | Oncology portfolio development |
| Abbott Laboratories | Divisional VP, Global Oncology Development | Apr 2003 – Dec 2012 | Global oncology programs |
| Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Chief Scientific Officer; VP Clinical Affairs | May 2001 – Apr 2003 | Scientific and clinical leadership |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Status/Focus | Committees/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhotonPharma Inc. | Director | Current; immuno-oncology company | Not disclosed |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments:
- Science & Technology Committee: Member (current); post-annual meeting composition includes Dr. Gordon, with Arjun Desai as Chair .
- Compensation Committee: Designated to join post-annual meeting; committee remains fully independent .
- Independence: Board determined Dr. Gordon is independent under Nasdaq standards; also independent for compensation committee purposes .
- Board leadership and oversight:
- Independent, non-executive Chair (Mats Wahlström); Board separates Chair/CEO roles for enhanced oversight .
- Executive sessions of independent directors are regularly scheduled, typically at each regular Board meeting .
- Board met 7 times in 2024; no director attended <75% of meetings (Dr. Gordon appointed in 2025, so 2024 attendance not applicable) .
Fixed Compensation (Non-Employee Director Policy)
| Cash Component | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Board retainer | $50,000 | 2024 policy |
| Chair of the Board (additional) | $30,000 | 2024 policy |
| Committee chair fees – Audit | $20,000 | 2024 policy |
| Committee chair fees – Compensation | $15,000 | 2024 policy |
| Committee chair fees – Nominating & Governance | $15,000 | 2024 policy |
| Committee chair fees – Science & Technology | $25,000 | 2024 policy |
| Committee member fee (non-chair) – any committee | $7,500 | 2024 policy |
| Finance Strategy Committee – Chair | $20,000 | Added Feb 2025 |
| Finance Strategy Committee – Member | $7,500 | Added Feb 2025 |
Notes:
- Beginning 2025, directors may elect RSUs in lieu of cash retainers; RSUs vest quarterly; shares determined by retainer value divided by grant-date closing price .
Performance Compensation (Equity; Directors)
| Instrument | Grant Policy | Vesting | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Option | 35,000 options upon first appointment | 3 equal annual installments | FMV exercise price at grant; full vest on change in control if not assumed |
| Annual Option | 15,000 options at each annual meeting | Vests in full by next annual meeting or 1-year anniversary | FMV exercise price at grant |
| Retainer RSUs (election) | RSUs equal to annual cash retainer (from 2025) | Quarterly vesting within year; prorated on termination | Optional in lieu of cash; settlement can be deferred (409A-compliant) |
The proxy discloses the policy; specific 2025 grants to Dr. Gordon are not itemized in the filing. Equity vests time-based; no director performance metrics are specified for equity .
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Type | Overlap/Interlocks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhotonPharma Inc. | Private (immuno-oncology) | None disclosed with TLSI directors/executives | Independence affirmed by Board |
- Related-party transactions: No related-party transactions disclosed involving Dr. Gordon; Audit Committee oversees RPTs under written policy .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Education: B.S. Biochemistry (SUNY Stony Brook); M.D. and Ph.D. (Pharmacology), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine .
- Domain expertise: Oncology drug development leadership at Ayala, AbbVie, Abbott; Board cites “extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry” as rationale for appointment .
- Committee qualifications: Independent and eligible for Compensation Committee; S&T Committee member .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Outstanding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Gordon | — | * (<1%) | As of March 31, 2025; no shares reported |
Additional alignment controls:
- Company prohibits directors and employees from hedging and pledging TLSI stock; no margin purchases or pledging permitted .
- Director stock ownership guidelines: Not quantified in proxy; Compensation Committee may establish and monitor guidelines .
Governance Assessment
- Strengths supporting investor confidence:
- Independence affirmed; no material relationships with the Company .
- Relevant oncology development expertise; active S&T Committee member and slated for Compensation Committee (both critical to R&D oversight and pay governance) .
- Strong protective policies: hedging/pledging prohibitions; Audit Committee oversight of related-party transactions; Committee authority to adopt clawback policies .
- Independent Board leadership with regular executive sessions .
- Monitoring items:
- Ownership alignment: No beneficial ownership reported as of March 31, 2025; equity policy (initial/annual options; RSU retainer election) provides a path to build alignment over time .
- Attendance and engagement data for Dr. Gordon will emerge in the next proxy cycle (appointed in 2025; 2024 attendance not applicable) .
No Section 16(a) delinquency, legal proceedings, or related-party exposure involving Dr. Gordon are disclosed in the latest proxy and current reports reviewed .