Leadership Team

Nikki Osborn

Chief Executive Officer

Nikki Osborn founded Meridian Clinical Research in 1999 in Omaha, NE. Under her guidance, Meridian grew from a single dedicated research center in Omaha, NE, to a network that includes more than 30 principal investigators at sites across North America.

Osborn has also been appointed to the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) leadership council, for which she provides strategic guidance, policy decisions and oversight. Osborn cofounded Platinum Research Network, a highly respected site network and global leader in vaccine trials.

Under Osborn’s direction, research at Meridian is frequently published in academic journals and presented at major scientific and academic events worldwide. She is involved in numerous charitable organizations focused on researching and treating diseases. Osborn graduated from the University of Iowa and earned her BSN from Clarkson College.

 

Laura Falcone, APRN

Chief Operating Officer

As chief operating officer, Laura Falcone directs operations at all Meridian sites across North America. An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), Falcone brings years of firsthand clinical experience to her executive role at Meridian. She established Meridian’s excellence in patient-centric research conduct and remains heavily-involved in day-to-day clinical operations, occasionally serving as sub-investigator for trials.

In 2012, Falcone was named Study Nurse of the Year at the PharmaTimes U.S. Clinical Researcher of the Year competition.

Before joining Meridian, Falcone was a nurse at the Methodist Health System. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology from the University of Virginia; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University; a Master of Science in Adult Acute Care and a Post-Master's Certificate in Family Practice Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

 

Dave Roehr

Chief Financial Officer

Dave Roehr brings more than three decades of experience in banking, finance, and strategic growth to his role at Meridian. Before joining Meridian, he founded Proceed Finance. Roehr was also president and chief financial officer of Cabela’s Inc., guiding the company through a time of unprecedented sales growth and retail expansion, rocketing the company past the $1 billion valuation mark.

In his role at Cabela’s, Roehr also served as founder, chairman of the board, and CEO of World’s Foremost Bank, a wholly-owned regulated credit card bank used by Cabela’s. He was also a partner at tax consultancy Grant Thornton LLP, where he leveraged his certified public accountant (CPA) and Masters of Taxation credentials within their public accounting business practice, contributing to revenue growth of over $150 million and expansion into almost 70 countries.

Aside from his career leadership roles, Roehr is also a member on various boards of directors, with current and past board memberships at organization including Buckle, Air Methods, Regional Board of Directors for US Bank, and Security First Bank.

 

Wes Bonner

VP, Business Development, Principal Investigator Liaison

Wes Bonner joined Meridian Clinical Research in 2014 and now serves as VP, business development and principal investigator liaison. He is responsible for cultivating relationships with physicians across North America to enhance Meridian’s site network and operations. Before joining Meridian, Wes accrued 17 years of experience in sales and account management roles with pharmaceutical companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Upjohn, Otsuka, and Sanofi (where he was a seven-time Above and Beyond winner).

Bonner serves as expert counsel for Total Clinical Trial Management, a committee that bridges the gap between clinical research organizations (CROs) and clinical research conduct. He has also spoken at a Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI) event and served as a moderator at the Global Site Solutions Summit. Bonner earned his Bachelor of Science in Communication from Georgia Southern University.