PPD CEO David Grange to retire | Personnel moves

Here’s the latest personnel changes from medical device, diagnostics and life science companies around the nation. For more news on recent hirings and firings in the industry, check out MassDevice’s compilation of the latest personnel moves.

• PPD CEO David Grange to retire
  Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc. (NSDQ:PPDI) announced that David Grange plans to retire as CEO and a member of the company’s board of directors. Grange joined PPD’s board in 2003 and served with distinction as an independent director until mid-2009 when he became CEO. Grange’s retirement will be effective May 18, 2011, the date of the company’s annual shareholder meeting. The board of directors has started the succession planning process and will promptly initiate a search internally and externally for a successor. Grange will assist in the transition of his duties during the remainder of his tenure as CEO and will continue to provide assistance to the company on transition and other matters under a consulting agreement for the balance of 2011. After his retirement and until a new CEO is in place, his duties will be handled by Dr. Eshelman and other members of PPD’s management team.
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• Natus taps John Buhler for COO
  Natus Medical Inc. (NSDQ:BABY) appointed of John Buhler as president and COO of the company. Over his 28 year career, Buhler has overseen and directed rapidly growing enterprises both big and small within the medical device industry, recently as president and CEO of SenoRx Inc. (NSDQ:SENO) prior to its acquisition in July 2010. His experience includes senior management positions at General Electric, last serving as VP and GM of GE’s $500 million Ultrasound Performance Technologies Division covering China and Asia; president and CEO of Ultrasonix Medical Corp. in Canada; and VP of operations for Diasonics Inc.
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• Response Genetics Inc. appoints Kathleen Danenberg president
  Response Genetics Inc. (NSDQ:RGDX), a company focused on the development and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, announced the addition of Christine Meda as the company’s president. Kathleen Danenberg, who held this position previously, will continue to act as CEO of the company. In her role, Ms. Meda will be responsible for helping in the execution of the company’s strategy and operations on a day-to-day basis and, with her unique expertise in cancer diagnostics, leading the company in new areas of the market, such as the development of companion diagnostics.
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• ConvaTec announces new leader ship appointments
  ConvaTec, a developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, appointed several executives to new positions within the company. Nino Pionati has been appointed president, Intercontinental in a newly aligned region that will include Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada. These markets continue to be a strategic focus for growth for the company. He will continue as a member of the Executive Committee and will serve as the Executive Sponsor for the company emerging markets growth initiatives. Jorgen Hansen has been appointed Senior Vice president, Global Marketing and Business Development. In his role, Hansen will be responsible for expanding access to, and commercialization of, critical innovations to drive growth. Hansen will serve as a new member of the Executive Committee. Robbie Heginbotham has been named interim Vice president, Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain following the departure of Cheryl Capps. In this role he will focus on developing best-in-class quality and service initiatives while maximizing operational effectiveness of the global manufacturing process and network. Heginbotham will act as an interim member of the Executive Committee.
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• ReVision Optics appoints John Kilcoyne president and CEO
  ReVision Optics Inc. a leading research and development company specializing in implantable microlens technology to treat presbyopia, announced the appointment of John T. Kilcoyne as Chief Executive Officer and president. Kilcoyne will succeed J. Randy Alexander. Alexander will assume the role of chairman of the board. Kilcoyne has more than 29 years of experience in the medical device market. Most recently he served as chairman and CEO of Micrus Endovascular Corporation, until its sale to Johnson & Johnson in September 2010. Kilcoyne also previously served as president and Chief Executive Officer of Solace Therapeutics from 2002 to 2004 and Endonetics from 1997 until its acquisition by Medtronic in December 2001.
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