Innovative Neurotronics Inc. (IN, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., today announced four additions to its management and manufacturing teams – a director of manufacturing operations, director of finance, director of international business development and a quality assurance engineer. IN, Inc. is expanding its scope of operations to be consistent with the demand and potential for the first product in its line of neuromuscular technologies, the WalkAide System.
“Our acceptance by the market is a clear indication of the growing interest in neuromuscular technologies,” IN, Inc. president Jeff Martin said. “With the successful launch of the WalkAide, we are at the point in our evolution that additional expertise is justified. Our new executives and engineers bring the experience and vision necessary to advance the company and its product offerings in the U.S. and abroad.”
The new members are:
Michael A. Ross, director of manufacturing operations. Ross will be responsible for the manufacturing and production activities of IN, Inc.’s product offerings, including the WalkAide System. Ross brings worldwide supply chain management experience, multi-plant manufacturing and budgeting experience with domestic and overseas operations and 10 years P&L responsibility. Ross earned his MBA and MS in mechanical/electrical engineering from the University of Texas and his BS in industrial engineering from Penn State University.
Dan Ruppa, director of finance. Ruppa supervises the general accounting area and is responsible for operations analysis and control, and the preparation of financial statements and reports. Ruppa brings 31 years financial systems development, finance management and business experience. He has managed cost accounting and financial reporting for a $1 billion site at Solectron and a $500 million site at Texas Instruments. Ruppa graduated summa cum laude with his BA from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.
Richard Eliakim will serve as IN, Inc.’s director of international business development, responsible for the development and implementation of international sales strategies. He brings extensive international sales, marketing and business experience in the healthcare, medical device, neuroscience and pharmaceutical arenas. Eliakim successfully developed the strategy for certain implants and intensive care product lines in China, Brazil, Chile, Poland, Turkey and Russia.
Sidney Bennett joins IN, Inc. as its quality assurance engineer. He will coordinate and perform quality assurance and product development activities according to medical device regulations. He will also manage incoming inspection and product release activities. As an engineer with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering and 6 years progressive experience in manufacturing and quality engineering environments, Bennett’s background includes CAD design, FEA analysis and project management for multimillion dollar product lines at DePuy Orthopaedics and Encore Medical Corporation. Sidney received both his master’s degree and his BS from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
