FREEDOM APPOINTS WERTZ AS E.V.P. OF SALES & MARKETING
Irvine, Calif. (January 15, 2009) - Maynard Carkhuff, President and CEO of Freedom Innovations, LLC, an Irvine, CA based manufacturer of advanced technology prosthetic devices, announced today that Gary Wertz has been named Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the organization. Wertz comes to Freedom with over 20 years of sales, marketing and general management experience in the prosthetic, pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare products and surgical markets. Wertz will lead the company's worldwide sales, marketing and clinical education initiatives while identifying new business opportunities and market strategies.
"We're very pleased to have Gary aboard," says Carkhuff. "His extensive experience and intimate understanding of our industry provide a unique perspective. We have no doubt he will help the company achieve its ongoing mission of serving amputees and the prosthetic industry at the highest level possible."
"I am excited to be joining Freedom," said Wertz. "The future is bright for a company with such a quality line of products and passion for innovation. I am most impressed with the people, and look forward to joining Maynard and the entire Freedom team."
Wertz's experience spans both public and private companies. Most recently, he was an independent consultant specializing in marketing strategies for medical device companies. His industry experience includes, President of Ossur North America, Senior Vice President, Ossur North America; Regional Vice President, Allergan Inc. where he directed the marketing and sales efforts of the pharmaceutical, consumer health care products and surgical product lines; Vice President, U.S. Pharmaceutical Sales; and Vice President, Marketing and Sales of Herbert Laboratories, the dermatology division of SmithKline Beecham.
Wertz holds a B.Sc. in biology and chemistry and an M.S. in genetics from Western Michigan University. He has also completed the executive marketing management program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
About Freedom Innovations: Freedom Innovations, LLC designs, manufactures, and markets advanced technology prosthetic devices that provide people with physical challenges the ability to reach their full potential. Based in Irvine, CA, Freedom's lower-limb prosthetics are distributed in 39 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.freedom-innovations.com.