UTICA, N.Y. — ConMed Corp. (NASDAQ: CNMD), a Utica–based surgical-device maker, announced today that its board of directors has appointed Curt Hartman as president and CEO, effective immediately.
Hartman joined the ConMed’s board in March, and then was appointed interim CEO in July.
The board based its decision on Hartman’s previous industry experience and “demonstrated results,” along with the “leadership qualities” he has displayed serving as interim CEO at ConMed, Mark Tryniski, chairman of ConMed’s board of directors, said in a news release
The board made its choice following a “broad” search conducted with the advice of a nationally recognized executive-search firm, which ConMed didn’t name in its news release.
“[Hartman] has a thorough understanding of our business and operations, and a deep appreciation for the hard work and talent of our employees. We are very pleased Curt has accepted the permanent position and believe that he will lead the company effectively into its next chapter of growth, profitability and improved performance,” said Tryniski.
Before joining ConMed, Hartman had a 22-year career at Kalamazoo, Mich.–based Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK), a medical-technologies firm, where he served in a variety of executive leadership roles, ConMed said.
They included interim CEO from February 2012 to October 2012; CFO from April 2009 to October 2012; vice president of finance from November 2008 to April 2009; and global president, president and vice president and general manager of Stryker Instruments from September 1999 to November 2008.
During his tenure at Stryker, Hartman focused on a number of initiatives, which included the completion of multiple acquisitions, debt offerings, share buybacks, and an “enhanced” dividend policy while adjusting the firm’s business model to address the changing healthcare landscape, according to ConMed.
Hartman initially joined Stryker in 1990 as a manufacturing engineer.
In the news release, Hartman said he is “honored and excited” to serve as ConMed’s top official.
Since joining the ConMed board eight months ago, Hartman has become “deeply familiar” with its products, people and potential and is “very enthusiastic” about all three, he said.
“I look forward to building on the work we have already started, and pursuing excellence at ConMed alongside our talented and dedicated employees in order to unlock our full potential, better enabling our customers to enhance patient outcomes. Through a renewed focus on operating performance and innovation, we will drive revenue and earnings growth, and build ConMed into the first choice for our customers’ needs, our employees’ talent and our shareholders’ capital,” said Hartman.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com