Tag Archive for: Emergency Response Systems

Mark Johnson to Join Medtronic Emergency Response Systems as Vice President of Operations

Life Science Partner recruits expert in operations and supply-chain management

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Mark Johnson to become vice president of operations for Redwood, Washington-based Medtronic Emergency Response Systems (ERS).  In this role, Johnson will lead a team of 300, including 125 in manufacturing, who are building Medtronic’s lifesaving LIFEPAK defibrillator/monitors and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).  An innovator in the field, Medtronic ERS is on the forefront of integrating information technology and AED devices to advance the performance and benefits for improved patient survival.

Johnson has considerable experience with supply chain management and the turnaround of manufacturing operations.  He joins Medtronic ERS from Philips Consumer, with responsibility for transitioning Sonicare oral health products from a U.S.-focused organization to a world leader, with a global supply chain system to match its sales ambitions.  Using a data-driven system, Johnson was able to introduce an outsourcing program to reduce costs while increasing diversity in the product lines.

“We have found that consumer goods companies, particularly in electronically-driven appliances, hone operational skill sets not typically found in the medical device industry,” noted Cindi Roberts, vice president, Life Science Partner.  “Mark provides Medtronic with the high-quality, low-cost manufacturing and sourcing leadership that we did not find when we examined prospective candidates from its medical device competitors.”

Previously, Johnson was a leader in the manufacturing contractors Integrex and Flextronics.  As the general manager of the Chatham facility, Johnson eliminated a significant work backlog for a client who was threatening to terminate their contract due to non-performance.  He honed his operational skills at Metawave, a cellular infrastructure company, and Motorola.  By joining Medtronic ERS, Johnson now leads the AED operations team in the world’s leading medical device company.

Johnson received his BS in Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington and is a graduate of their MBA program.

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Medtronic Emergency Response Systems Selects Ken Olson to Lead Research and Development

Life Science Partner recruits research and development pioneer in the external defibrillator field

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Ken Olson, as vice president for research and development of Redwood-based Medtronic Emergency Response Systems. In this role, Olson will lead the team of 140 developing Medtronic’s lifesaving LIFEPAK defibrillator/monitors and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).  An innovator in the field, Medtronic ERS is on the forefront of integrating information technology and AED devices to advance the performance and benefits for improved patient survival.

Olson is well-positioned to lead this team, as he developed many of the industry’s innovations at Survivalink Corporation and its successor, Cardiac Science.  .  During these 13 years, he led small and large teams to pioneer AED development with specifications of reduced cost, increasing reliability and functionality, and well-defined, customer-focused benefits.  Olson joins Medtronic from Masimo Corporation, the leading oximeter company,  where he was vice president of the OEM business.

“Ken is a home run,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “He is the acknowledged scientific and developmental leader in the field.  Most importantly, however, is that he’s an excellent manager and communicator – working effectively with other leaders, customers and investors to produce market-leading innovation.”

At Survivalink Olson co-founded the company with two partners with the concept of developing an AED for police and first-responders.  Working originally in their basement, the entrepreneurs produced the first AED that became a standard for simple use and reliability.  The company was sold to Cardiac Science in 2001, and Olson continued to lead as chief technology officer, building an increasing interface with customers.  With the company’s sale to Quinton, he joined Masimo.  At Medtronic, Olson will now lead the AED R&D team in the world’s leading medical device company.

Olson is a graduate University of Minnesota, with a BS in Electrical Engineering.  He earned his MBA at the Carlson School of Management.

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