Rush E. Simonson, Chairman
Mr. Simonson has been involved in finance and healthcare for over 20 years. Mr. Simonson became well known in the spinal industry following the founding of a medical distributorship for Medtronic, Inc. that was acquired by Medtronic. He is an inventor and holds 3 pioneer patents for posterior lumbar spinal artificial disks and has experience developing biomedical intellectual property. He was founding CEO and Director of Cytonics Corporation (“Cytonics”), a proteomics discovery start-up. During his tenure at Cytonics, he led a national team of scientists from Stanford University and University of Pittsburgh, to discover the novel protein complex believed to be responsible for back and joint pain. Mr. Simonson initiated partnership discussions that recently resulted in a 20% acquisition by Synthes/J&J. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BBA (Entrepreneurial Studies and Finance). Has also completed advanced management development program at Harvard’s Kennedy School and is well versed in the fields of protein discovery, stem cell and regenerative medicine, medical expert, and IT systems.
Peter M. Simonson, Director
With 20 years of executive experience in sales, marketing, management, product development, engineering, business development, market research and consulting, Mr. Simonson holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech.
He has been awarded five patents for surgical products, with an additional seven patents pending. He is inventor of the Medtronic’s patented unique spinal implant a system, TSRH-3D®, which has sold in excess of $1 billion in more the 30 countries. Mr. Simonson, and the team developing his technology received Medtronic’s global Technical-Contributor-of-The-Year award. Mr. Simonson has become highly sought after worldwide for his talents as a sales trainer and motivational speaker. After proving his skills invaluable in more than 60 markets, Medtronic now features his pioneering sales techniques in sales training videos and curriculum worldwide.
J.R. Slaughter, Advisor*
20-year sales and management career as medical device executive working with companies Medtronic and President of Bluegrass Spine 2007-2012, a Stryker distributorship. He also founded and built a very successful, award-winning, horse racing stable, Slaughter Racing Stables. Before assuming the position of Vice President for RTC, Mr. Slaughter served as Director of RTC’s Aging Care Division and is also a graduate of Franklin University.
W. Andrew Hodge, M.D., FACS, Director
A world renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in arthritis surgery and musculoskeletal research. He has been recognized for his accomplishments on CNN News, the Discovery Channel, and Science Magazine. He completed special fellowship training at both Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During ten years of performing surgery, research, and teaching in the Harvard/MIT system he designed and directed the BioMotion Laboratory. Dr. Hodge founded the BioMotion Foundation in 1987 as a non-profit organization to support orthopaedic research and education worldwide. In 1992 the BioMotion Foundation, now known as The Institute for Mobility and Longevity, was recruited to Palm Beach, Florida, by Good Samaritan Medical Center. This clinical and research operation combined world-class orthopaedic surgeons with the latest advances in bioengineering and computer technology.
Remco Maljers, Vice President Emerging Markets EMEA & SEA at NuVasive
A seasoned international executive who is Vice President, Global Sales at Intrinsic Therapeutics after leaving Wright Medical where he was most recently Vice President Northern Europe. During his tenure in Wright Medical Remco was responsible for building up the distribution network in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa and later also for the subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Belgium. Remco brings 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the global orthopedic and spinal industry to Intrinsic Therapeutics. He started his career with the Waldemar Link distributor in The Netherlands and later joined Medtronic Sofamor Danek where he held several international marketing positions. His most important achievement in Medtronic was the European launch and introduction of the TSRH-3D system, a thoracolumbar pedicle screw system.