DynaVox Systems LLC Appoints Healthcare Industry Veteran to Lead Growth Initiatives for DynaVox Technologies and Mayer-Johnson
PITTSBURGH, PA – September 10, 2007 - Jim Liken, Chairman of DynaVox, today announced the appointment of Ed Donnelly as Chief Executive Officer. Donnelly, a member of the Board of Directors since 2004, brings augmentative and alternative communication industry (AAC) knowledge combined with significant experience in successfully leading healthcare rehabilitation businesses to his new position. He replaces Joe Swenson who has left the organization to pursue other opportunities.
Donnelly has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of several healthcare businesses including AbilityOne, a Patterson Medical Company, and the Scrip Companies. Under his leadership, AbilityOne/Patterson Medical became the world’s largest rehabilitation company, with annual revenues exceeding $300M.
Commenting on the appointment, Jim Liken said, "We are pleased to have someone with Ed’s passion and commitment to rehabilitation step into this role. His new position is a natural extension of the work he has done as an active board member over the past three years. The timing of Ed’s appointment correlates with the evolution of our business strategy and direction."
In January 2007 the company launched its Series 5 family of products which includes the V and Vmax speech communication devices. "The Series 5 products have transformed augmentative communication for children and adults challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities. The products’ elegant simplicity combined with powerful communication and computing features open the door to a better quality of life for all who rely upon the technology to express themselves," Liken continued. "Since our separation from Sunrise Medical and with the full support of Vestar Capital Partners and other investors, we have been able to invest significantly to create this new generation of AAC devices."
Commenting on his appointment, Donnelly said, "I am excited to join an organization with such talented individuals that serves not only clients with an important unmet need, but also the professional community which will continue to be our partner in helping to bring communication and learning solutions to those who need them most. Joe Swenson has done an impressive job creating a platform for growth and I look forward to being part of the day-to-day operations of the organization and taking the business to the next level for our clients and employees.
"My mission," Donnelly added, "is to apply techniques I used in building previous companies to help DynaVox to grow and serve a dramatically greater number of customers who need our products." Donnelly also reiterated the company’s commitment to ensure that DynaVox Technologies is an important part of the medical products community in Pittsburgh for years to come. Mayer-Johnson will also remain part of the San Diego business landscape.
Roger Holstein, a Director of DynaVox and Managing Director of Vestar Capital Partners, a significant equity investor in DynaVox, commented on Donnelly’s appointment, "Ed is the right person to take the company to new heights in serving clients and professionals. His deep background in and passion for the rehabilitation industry along with his experience in growing businesses will help DynaVox and Mayer-Johnson achieve their full potential."
About DynaVox Technologies
DynaVox Systems pioneers speech communication technology, giving an opportunity for a better life to the millions of adults and children around the world challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities caused by conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, autism and mental retardation. Driving by a strong entrepreneurial culture, the company applies proprietary and third-party technologies, and applied research efforts to deliver a broad range of speech communication hardware and software tools, and offers an extensive customer support program, which enables individuals and their families to access the latest technology and reimbursement counsel regarding the company’s suite of products. For more information about DynaVox, visit www.dynavoxtech.com.
« Go Back