Experienced Leadership

Phanesh Koneru Ph.D., LL.M, is the Founder, President and CEO of Exela Pharma Sciences.  He also serves as the company’s General Counsel and is a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

Phanesh founded Exela on the belief that life-saving prescription drugs should be accessible, affordable and of the highest quality.  He founded Exela in 2005 as an R&D organization (CRO), developing and partnering products with leading injectable manufacturers.  Exela became a CDMO and launched its first FDA product in 2012.  The first Exela labeled product was on the market in 2015.  Phanesh led the company’s evolution from CRO to fully functioning pharmaceutical manufacturer.  Exela’s cGMP facilities today employ more than 500 employees dedicated to producing and marketing life-saving, sterile injectable products.

Before founding Exela, Phanesh was Vice President, Intellectual Property at Watson Pharmaceuticals (later sold to Allergan & Teva).  Prior to that, he worked at law firms in New York and Palo Alto, CA.  Phanesh actually began his professional career as a registered pharmacist in California where he worked for twelve years.

Phanesh holds a Ph.D. in Biomedicinal Chemistry from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, a Juris Doctor (J.D) from the University of San Diego School of Law and a Master of Laws (LL.M) with high honors from Columbia University School of Law.

Under Phanesh’s leadership Exela has received a number of manufacturing and supply chain excellence awards including the 2017 NCMFG Manufacturing Leadership Award presented by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, the 2013 Caldwell Economic Development Commission Industry of the Year Award and was honored with the Business North Carolina Magazine 2019 Economic Development Guide cover story.  Phanesh was named in May of 2021 one of North Carolina’s Most Influential Leaders in Health Sciences by Business North Carolina.

Dr. Murthy is Chief Scientific Officer and a founding member of Exela since its inception in 2005.  He is a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

Murthy’s scientific accomplishments include developing more than 175 formulations encompassing oral solids, injectables, ophthalmics, otics and topicals, also including a number of injectable NDA(b)(2) and ANDA formulations currently on the U. S. market.

Prior to joining Exela, Murthy served as Chief of Research & Development and Manufacturing at Medreich Ltd. and at TTK Healthcare Ltd, both leading pharmaceutical companies in India.

Murthy holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Andhra University, India.

Dr. John Maloney  is Senior Vice President of Research & Development and is a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

John joined Exela in March of 2013, bringing more than 25 years of pharma Research & Development experience.  His extensive R&D history includes positions at Sterling Winthrop, Alpharma, Taro Pharmaceuticals, Harmony Labs, Sandoz and TPDA.

Maloney is credited with developing and submitting numerous Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA’s) to the FDA as well as OTC/DESI products submitted for approvals in both U.S. and European markets.

John Maloney received a Ph. D. from State University of New York, Buffalo, where he continues Post-Doctoral studies.

Mark Hartman joined Exela in April 2015 as Chief Commercial Officer and is a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

Mark’s expertise includes an impressive history transforming contract pharmaceutical manufacturers into market leaders.  He has successfully directed the commercialization of more than 150 pharmaceutical products.

His 36 years of experience in global pharmaceutical sales, marketing and management include proprietary and generic prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter and nutritional products.

Prior to joining Exela, Mark was President of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Wockhardt USA and was President of Nesher Pharmaceuticals.  Mark served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Watson Laboratories’ Generic Division, Director of Marketing at Alpharma and held various positions at Lederle Laboratories where he began his career.

Mark is a graduate of Virginia Tech where he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science.

Don Overton is Vice President of Finance and a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

Don joined the company in January of 2022 and brings over 25 years of experience in Manufacturing Finance to Exela.  A former entrepreneur himself, he brings a unique skillset to the company.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with companies to develop internal process definition by streamlining Order to Cash and Procurement to Pay.  With a simplistic and holistic approach to finance, Overton leverages ERP to meet the company’s needs and demands without increasing complexity.

Don is a graduate of Chowan University, with degrees in Business Management and Accounting.

Tracy Canipe joined Exela as Vice President of Operations and Engineering in 2022.  He is a member of the Exela Leadership Team.

Tracy brings more than 30 years of progressive plant management and facilities engineering experience to Exela.  He drives performance and process improvement while managing capital and operational expenses to drive increasing bottom line performance in high volume, large-scale automation, and multi-locational systems as well as deploying leading edge proprietary technologies and products.

Prior to joining Exela Tracy was Chief of Engineering/Operations at Carolina Partners Consulting, Chief of Engineering and Design at Eighty Acres Farms, Plant Engineer at Del Monte Foods, Inc. Manufacturing Engineering Manager at Tyson Foods, and Plant Superintendent at Deans Foods.

Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, as well as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Dairy Science Certificates.  He has attained Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.  Tracy received the 2019 NC MFG Innovation Award for new technology in manufacturing at Eighty Acres Farms.

Michael Mims is a seasoned manufacturing executive with more than 25 years of experience in medical device and high-volume plastics manufacturing. He brings deep technical expertise across injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, automation, sterile processing, surface coatings, and complex cleanroom operations.

He has held senior leadership roles with Biomerics, Amcor Rigid Packaging, Vernay Laboratories, SiO2 Medical Products, GW Plastics, and Moll Industries, leading multi-site global operations with full P&L responsibility. Throughout his career, Michael has driven significant profitability improvements, executed large-scale capital expansions, launched new product introductions, and led Lean transformations that improved safety, quality, and employee engagement. His leadership has consistently resulted in margin expansion, reduced customer complaints, improved OEE, and successful turnaround of underperforming facilities.

Michael holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Materials Engineering and Polymer Science from the University of Florida.

Jeff Gensler is the Chief Quality Officer for Exela Pharma Sciences, joining the company on August 25, 2025, after serving as Interim Chief Quality Officer and Vice President of Quality at Kindeva Drug Delivery. He brings over 30 years of quality leadership experience across the pharmaceutical, medical device, and combination product industries.

Jeff has a proven record of leading FDA inspections, large-scale remediation programs, and global quality transformations. He has held senior leadership roles at Kindeva, Zimmer Biomet, Dentsply International, and Meridian, consistently delivering cultural change and regulatory success across highly regulated environments.

At Exela, Jeff is responsible for shaping the company's quality strategy, regulatory compliance, and inspection readiness across all operations. He holds both a B.S. in Business Administration & Strategic Management and an MBA in Quality Management from Upper Iowa University, along with Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Joy Sharp is a former FDA Regulatory Counsel with more than 14 years of service at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She has advised C-suite and corporate clients on FDA regulatory strategy, compliance, and enforcement across drugs, biologics, foods, and emerging technologies, including responses to Form 483 observations and Warning Letters, CGMP compliance, labeling, promotional review, and Drug Supply Chain Security Act requirements. Joy regularly interfaces with FDA centers including CDER, CBER, and CFSAN, and provides strategic guidance to help companies align business objectives with evolving regulatory expectations.

During her tenure at FDA, Joy held senior roles within CDER, the Office of the Commissioner, and the Office of Regulatory Affairs, shaping policy on pharmaceutical quality, drug and biologics manufacturing, import safety, and national enforcement strategy. Her work included drafting agency policy, standardizing warning letter practices, responding to Congressional inquiries, and leading cross-agency initiatives impacting drug quality and food safety.

Joy holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.