# Fred P. Lampropoulos

> Fred P. Lampropoulos is an American entrepreneur and inventor who co-founded Merit Medical Systems in 1987 with Kent W. Stanger, Darla Gill and William Padilla. He led the company as CEO until October 3, 2025, and left its board on January 4, 2026. His career combines company building, manufacturing, military service, music and Utah civic involvement, with a stated ambition for Merit to endure for 100 years.

- **Role:** Entrepreneur, inventor and former corporate executive
- **Organizations:** Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (co-founder; former President, CEO and board chair), Utah Medical Products, Inc. (former chair and president), Sentir Semiconductors (founder; later Merit Sensor Systems), United States Army Special Forces (former commissioned officer), NUI Galway, now University of Galway (honorary adjunct appointment announced 2019)
- **From:** Boston, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Attended; did not complete degree, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Attended; did not complete degree, University of Utah, Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, Westminster College, Salt Lake City
- **Known for:** Co-founded Merit in 1987 and led it as CEO for 38 years., Credited with more than 240 patents in the University of Galway’s 2019 announcement., Salt Lake Chamber Giant in Our City honoree, 2019.

## Career timeline

- **1964** — Moved to the Salt Lake City area with his family from Rock Springs, Wyoming.
- **1969-1978** — Served as a commissioned officer in the US Army Special Forces (Airborne), according to the Salt Lake Chamber biography.
- **1983-1987** — Chair and president of Utah Medical Products, according to Merit’s 2019 proxy statement.
- **1987** — Co-founded Merit with Kent W. Stanger, Darla Gill and William Padilla.
- **1991** — Founded Sentir Semiconductors, later part of Merit.
- **2004** — Ran for Utah governor; eliminated at the Republican convention.
- **2016** — Established the Merit employee garden.
- **2019** — Named MWCN Entrepreneur of the Year, received the Salt Lake Chamber’s 40th Giant in Our City award, and was appointed an honorary adjunct professor of engineering at NUI Galway.
- **2025** — Stepped down as President and CEO on October 3; transitioned to Executive Chair.
- **2026** — Executive employment ended January 3; resigned as director and board chair effective January 4. A consulting arrangement covered January-March.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Merit in 1987 and led it as CEO for 38 years.
- Credited with more than 240 patents in the University of Galway’s 2019 announcement.
- Salt Lake Chamber Giant in Our City honoree, 2019.
- MountainWest Capital Network Entrepreneur of the Year, 2019.
- BioUtah Executive of the Year, 2025.
- Salt Lake Chamber North Star Award, May 21, 2026.
- Recipient of the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Received the Salt Lake Chamber’s North Star Award at the May 21 Under One Sky gala.
- **2026-01** — Resigned as Merit director and board chair effective January 4; F. Ann Millner became chair January 5. His consulting agreement covered a three-month period.
- **2025-10** — Martha G. Aronson succeeded him as Merit President and CEO effective October 3.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-lampropoulos-913779207

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/fred-lampropoulos
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23