hyperCORE International, a strategic scaling platform that helps clinical research sites and organizations grow through partnership, announced the election of its officers on October 15, 2026. Jeffrey Smyth will serve as President, Seneca Harrison as Vice President, and Claxton Copeland as Secretary, while Dustin Owen continues as Treasurer. The appointments signal a renewed focus on serving two distinct audiences through one platform: clinical research site networks seeking growth without losing independence, and contract research organizations (CROs) needing efficient access to high-performing sites.
The new leadership team brings complementary expertise to guide hyperCORE’s evolution and strengthen its partnerships. In a statement, Smyth expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him. “The camaraderie across our network is what makes this group special, and it positions us well for continued growth,” he said. “I step into this role with excitement as we scale our collective impact for CROs and patients.” Nicholas Focil, former President, emphasized the organization’s mission: “We help our partners scale. That means giving exceptional site networks the support to grow on their own terms, and giving CROs one trusted connection to the sites and patients their studies need.”
The election matters because it comes as hyperCORE sharpens its dual value proposition. For site networks, the platform provides shared expertise, business development, operational collaboration, and strategic partnerships to expand reach and build sustainable organizations. Current partner networks include Empathx Clinical Research, FOMAT Medical Research, Optimal Research Sites, QCR Network, and TrueBlue Clinical Research. Alumni include Lynd Clinical (formerly ARC), Avacare (formerly Benchmark Clinical Research), Flourish Research (formerly CSP & CTT), Centricity Research (formerly IACT Health, LMC Manna, Aventiv, and Lucas Research), and most recently Alcanza Clinical Research. This track record demonstrates hyperCORE’s ability to help sites grow while preserving their independence, a critical factor for many research organizations.
For CROs, hyperCORE offers a single point of contact that streamlines site access. The network promises rapid feasibility with 48 to 72 hour turnaround, broader geographic reach across the United States, and expanded patient access. It brings together more than 50 sites, over 120 principal investigators, and experience across more than 25 therapeutic areas and multiple trial phases, with access to more than 3.4 million patients. As the clinical research landscape becomes more complex, such efficiencies can reduce study start-up times and improve trial outcomes. The new officers are expected to build on this foundation, ensuring that hyperCORE continues to serve as a strategic scaling platform for both site networks and CROs. More information is available at hyperCORE International.
