# Bob Conerly

> Bob Conerly is the chief executive of SmartPay, a New Haven insurance-technology company that connects premium billing to actual payroll and other changing exposures. A University of Missouri finance graduate and MBA, he spent roughly three decades in accounting, pharmaceuticals and venture-backed businesses before joining SmartPay as CFO in 2014 and becoming CEO later that year. His public record combines an operator's attention to working capital and partnerships with a long commitment to charitable cycling through the Pan-Mass Challenge.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at SmartPay
- **Organizations:** SmartPay Solutions LLC, Melinta Therapeutics (formerly Rib-X Pharmaceuticals), Pharmion Corporation, AstraZeneca, Astra AB, Astra USA, PwC, Pan-Mass Challenge
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Missouri-Columbia, Master of Business Administration, University of Missouri-Columbia
- **Known for:** Helped lead SmartPay from a venture-backed period into private ownership and became CEO in 2014., SmartPay's platform grew from more than 10,000 businesses in 2021 to more than 40,000 active policyholders on the company's current website., SmartPay currently reports partnerships with more than 90 insurance providers and programs, 5,700 agents and 450 payroll companies.

## Career timeline

- **1982-1995** — Worked at PwC, ultimately as a senior manager.
- **1995-1998** — Served as director of finance at Astra USA.
- **1998-1999** — Worked as business controller for Asia at Astra AB.
- **1999-2000** — Served as director of business performance at AstraZeneca.
- **2001-2002** — Was chief financial officer at Pharmion Corporation.
- **2002-2013** — Served as chief financial officer at Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, later renamed Melinta Therapeutics.
- **2014** — Joined SmartPay as chief financial officer and chief operating officer, then became chief executive officer in November.
- **2015** — Testified before the Connecticut General Assembly that investment capital had helped SmartPay create and retain 12 jobs in the state.
- **2021** — SmartPay reported more than 10,000 businesses on its platform and roughly $14 billion in payroll data processed.
- **2023** — Prepared for his twentieth Pan-Mass Challenge ride; SmartPay reported that he had raised more than $380,000 through the event.
- **2026** — Continues to be listed by SmartPay as chief executive officer as the company reports serving more than 40,000 policyholders.

## Achievements

- Helped lead SmartPay from a venture-backed period into private ownership and became CEO in 2014.
- SmartPay's platform grew from more than 10,000 businesses in 2021 to more than 40,000 active policyholders on the company's current website.
- SmartPay currently reports partnerships with more than 90 insurance providers and programs, 5,700 agents and 450 payroll companies.
- By 2023, completed 19 Pan-Mass Challenge rides and raised more than $380,000 through the cycling event.
- Built a career spanning public accounting, multinational pharmaceutical finance, venture-backed biotechnology and insurance software operations.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — SmartPay's current leadership page continues to list Bob Conerly as CEO; the company says its network now includes 90+ insurance providers and programs, 5,700+ agents, 450+ payroll companies and 40,000+ policyholders.

## Links

- Website: https://smartpayllc.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-conerly-5ba2a613

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bob-conerly
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-28