Nikhil Nayak serves as President and CEO of Gulf Coast Blood, driving innovation and shaping the future of blood banking. Since joining the organization on January 1, 2024, he has brought a fresh vision and dynamic leadership, positioning the organization for continued growth and impact.

Before joining Gulf Coast Blood, Nikhil served as Chief Business Officer at San Diego Blood Bank, where he spearheaded the Innovation Development Team, driving forward-thinking initiatives in blood services. He has over 25 years of experience in relevant health and life sciences with a significant focus on strategy, marketing, business development, global product management, operations, finance, quality management, and corporate communications. His career spans leadership roles in pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, and medical device organizations.

Nikhil holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA with concentrations in finance, marketing, and international business from NYU’s Stern School of Business. His passion for innovation and strategic growth continues to drive Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center forward.

Theresa Pina serves as the Chief Growth Officer at Gulf Coast Blood, where she leads initiatives to expand the donor base and optimize organizational resources. She sets the strategic direction for business development, media, advertising, and brand awareness while driving community engagement efforts. Theresa is dedicated to increasing blood donations through innovative recruitment strategies and operational improvements.

A native Houstonian and University of Houston graduate, Theresa brings over 30 years of experience in management, operations, marketing, public relations, and donor recruitment. She began her journey with Gulf Coast Blood in 2005 as a Donor Recruiter and quickly advanced through leadership roles, becoming Director of Donor Recruitment in 2009. In 2015, she expanded her responsibilities to oversee Mobile Collections and was later promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2017.

Theresa has led key organizational initiatives, including navigating the challenges of a global pandemic, serving on industry boards, and chairing committees that drive national blood donor marketing efforts. She was selected for the inaugural class of America’s Blood Centers’ Executive Fellows Program, a leadership initiative in partnership with Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. In 2025, she assumed the role of Chief Growth Officer.
Looking ahead, Theresa is focused on shaping the future of blood donation by embracing innovative recruitment strategies, advancing digital engagement, and fostering new partnerships to ensure a strong and diverse donor base. She remains committed to expanding the organization’s reach and impact in the years ahead.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Theresa loves to travel and spend quality time with her daughters.

Steve Ruth is the Director of Business Development at Gulf Coast Blood, where he leads product and service development as well as sales strategies aimed at serving clients in the biotech, academic, and pharmaceutical industries. These industries rely on human blood products to develop life-saving products and technologies, making Steve’s role crucial in ensuring the organization continues to meet their needs with high-quality blood products. His work helps connect donor contributions with the critical requirements of medical and scientific advancements.

Steve has been with Gulf Coast Blood for nearly 30 years, holding leadership positions, including Director of Donor Recruitment and Director of Hospital Services. His extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the blood banking sector have been key to the organization’s success.

Growing up in a military family, Steve moved frequently before finishing high school in Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health from Texas A&M University in 1994 and later received a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi in 2019.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys traveling both internationally and domestically, surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and performing live music. He is married and has three adult children.

Kimberly Banks is the Director of Cellular Life Solutions at Gulf Coast Blood, where she leads a team committed to advancing scientific research by providing high-quality blood products to researchers and institutions worldwide. Cellular Life Solutions plays a crucial role in supporting diverse research needs, offering ethically sourced, reliable blood materials for studies ranging from disease research to medical innovations.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare quality and safety, laboratory and transfusion services operations, management, and leadership, Kimberly has a wealth of expertise. She spent eight years at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center before coming to Gulf Coast Blood, where she served as both the Laboratory Quality Program and Customer Support Services Manager, as well as the Manager of the Blood Procurement Lab.

A native Houstonian, Kimberly graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and a master’s in healthcare quality and safety. Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and reading a good book by the beach.

Cheri Jennings is the Director of National Donor Testing Services (NDTS) and Clinical Trials at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, bringing over four decades of experience to the organization. She leads a team dedicated to ensuring the safety of the community’s blood supply by rigorously testing every donation for 13 different assays. These tests determine donor eligibility and the acceptability of blood products before they are sent to hospitals.

The NDTS Laboratory provides high-quality testing services not only for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center but also for 21 clients, including blood donor centers, stem cell and cord blood programs, and hospital donor centers across Texas, California, Louisiana, and Kentucky. In 2024 alone, the laboratory performed over 600,000 tests.

Beyond testing, NDTS plays a vital role in advancing transfusion medicine research. For more than 35 years, the laboratory has supported reagent and instrument manufacturers in developing innovative testing methods. From early trials for HIV home and rapid testing to nucleic acid assay development and the recently FDA-approved malaria test, NDTS has contributed to numerous groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Cheri earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) certification at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She holds certifications as a Medical Technologist and SBB (ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (NCA), and Quality Auditor (CQA ASQ). Additionally, she served as an auditor for the American Association of Blood Banks for 22 years.