The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Houston for 2022. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, which is the world’s largest medical complex by several measures, including number of hospitals, number of physicians, square footage, and patient volume. In fact, nearly one in eight Houston workers are employed in the healthcare or social assistance fields. Houston is also home to some of the most innovative healthcare technology companies in the world, which with the guidance and expertise of their leaders are revolutionizing the healthcare industry and the level of care patients receive in fields as wide ranging as cardiac imaging, pharmaceuticals, nerve modulation, and sleep apnea.
Some of the distinguished honorees on this year’s list include Jeffrey Wade, President and CFO of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, which has advanced new therapies across a wide spectrum of human disease, from diabetes to carcinoid syndrome. Meanwhile, SVP of R&D and CTO John Harper’ MiMedx is developing and distributing human placental tissue allografts for wound care with patent-protected processes. And SVP of Customer Experience Arin Barooah’s Acutus Medical designs, manufactures, and markets a range of tools for catheter-based ablation procedures, such as novel access sheaths and transseptal crossing tools, to treat various arrhythmias.
The awardees on this year’s list lead from a variety of positions, from CEOs and Presidents to COOs, CTOs, VPs, and Directors. What they have in common, however, is the level of knowledge they bring to their roles and their dedication to leading their organizations to develop the best products and services possible to improve the lives of patients. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Houston for 2022.
1. Jimmy Youngblood
Company: OsteoStrong
Title: President
Jimmy Youngblood is the President of OsteoStrong. He first joined the company in 2016 as Chief Information Officer. OsteoStrong is a biohack that helps strengthen the skeletal system, otherwise known as the body's foundation. In less than ten minutes a week, OsteoStrong may reduce the need to spend hours at a gym, sweating and exhausting oneself running for miles or lifting weights unnecessarily. OsteoStrong employs a quick-session concept that can be tailored to even the busiest of schedules. That, coupled with the huge wellness industry, may make OsteoStrong uniquely placed to provide for the wellness goals of many worldwide. Some who adopt OsteoStrong practices experience improved bone density, posture, balance, athletic performance, and noticeably less joint and back pain.
Previously, Youngblood was a manager of software development at Gulf States Toyota, and before that, a senior program manager at Halliburton. Earlier in his career, he worked with RICON, Inc. as a senior consultant. Youngblood earned a PhD in computer science from DePaul University Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, a global MBA in strategic leadership and finance and a strategic MBA in management, finance, and accounting from the University of Houston-Victoria, and an undergraduate degree in computer science and applied mathematics from the University of Houston-Downtown.
2. Jeffrey Wade
Company: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Title: President and Chief Financial Officer
Jeffrey Wade is the President and Chief Financial Officer of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that has harnessed the power of genetics for drug discovery. Its research team has generated a pipeline of novel drug candidates in clinical development across a broad range of indications, and its scientists have integrated a series of recombinant DNA and chemistry technologies into a systematic drug discovery and development process. Lexicon’s genomics-based approach to drug discovery has enabled its scientists to select drug targets across a broad range of indications with high unmet medical need. All of its drug candidates are new molecular entities discovered internally by Lexicon’s dedicated drug discovery teams and designed to affect particular points on a genetically-defined pathway that can be used to fight a disease process. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals has advanced new therapies across a wide spectrum of human disease, from conditions affecting millions of people, such as diabetes, to carcinoid syndrome, an orphan cancer indication with few treatment options.
Before joining Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wade was a partner at Andrews Kurth LLP. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a JD and an undergraduate degree.
3. John Harper
Company: MiMedx
Title: Senior Vice President of R&D and Chief Technology Officer
John Harper is the Senior Vice President of R&D and Chief Technology Officer at MiMedx, an industry leader in advanced wound care and a therapeutic biologics company developing and distributing human placental tissue allografts with patent-protected processes for multiple sectors of healthcare. It is an industry leader in advanced wound care and a therapeutic biologics company. Its products are primarily targeted towards the wound care, burn, surgical, sports medicine, and orthopedics markets. The company processes the human placental tissue utilizing its proprietary PURION® process methodology, among other processes, to produce allografts by employing aseptic processing techniques in addition to terminal sterilization. MiMedx has supplied more than two million allografts, through both direct and consignment shipments.
Prior to MiMedx, Harper served as senior director of fibrosis research at Telios Pharmaceuticals. From there, he went on to LifeCell Corporation, before eventually rising to senior medical scientist at 3M, his most recent position prior to joining MiMedx. Harper graduated from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences with a PhD in biochemistry and from Baylor University with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
4. Shakil Lakhani
Company: InMode
Title: President of North America
Shakil Lakhani is the President of North America at InMode. He first joined the company in 2017 as Executive Vice President of Sales. InMode provides minimally and non-invasive surgical aesthetic and medical treatment solutions in the United States. Its products and solutions address three energy-based treatment categories that include face & body contouring, medical aesthetics, and women's health. InMode’s technological advancements began over two decades ago with state-of-the-art light, laser, and radiofrequency devices invented by leading doctors and scientists who essentially launched and shaped the industry. Its technology continues that legacy to provide superior satisfaction for both the patient and the practice. InMode has developed products using its technology for plastic surgery, dermatology, gynecology, and ophthalmology, including BodyTite, Optimas, Votiva, Contoura, Triton, EmbraceRF, Evolve, Evoke, and Morpheus8.
Previously, Lakhani was a director of sales at Cynosure | Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo.
5. Amy Castillo
Company: Houston Forensic Science Center, Inc.
Title: Chief Operations Officer
Amy Castillo is the Chief Operations Officer of Houston Forensic Science Center, Inc., an independent local government corporation that provides forensic services to the Houston Police Department. It is governed by a nine-member board of directors appointed by Houston’s mayor and confirmed by city council. Its mission is to receive, analyze, and preserve physical and digital evidence while adhering to the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and ethics. The HFSC aims to provide quality analytical examinations, provide quality forensic investigations, meet or exceed all standards necessary to maintain accreditation, monitor and ensure the timely generation of test or investigation reports, and enhance the scientific capabilities of HFSC.
Before joining Houston Forensic Science Center, Inc., Castillo was a research scientist at Life Technologies. She graduated from the University of Houston with a PhD and an undergraduate degree in biochemistry.
6. Michael Brown
Company: Thomas Scientific
Title: Senior Vice President of Clinical Diagnostics and Peak Biosolutions
Michael Brown is the Senior Vice President of Clinical Diagnostics and Peak Biosolutions at Thomas Scientific. For 120+ years, Thomas Scientific has provided the latest in equipment and supplies to the science community, such as laboratory supplies and consumables, instruments and furniture, chemicals, and laboratory safety and apparel. In accordance with the tradition of its original founders, Thomas Scientific provides individualized customer service, innovative scientific equipment, and a comprehensive portfolio offering a wide selection of product listings at great prices. More than just a distributor, its experts serve as active consultants for complex scientific workflows. The company offers an array of service solutions, including Thomas Inventory Management Solutions (custom VMI solutions), equipment financing, and more.
Brown first got his start in 1997 as a research associate at Baylor College of Medicine. From there, he went on to Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, before eventually rising to VP of Strategic Business Development at Phenix Research Products, his most recent position prior to joining Thomas Scientific. Brown graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with an MBA, and from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and genetics.
7. Brian Crum
Company: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Brian Crum is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He first joined the company in 2001 as senior corporate counsel. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that has harnessed the power of genetics for drug discovery. Its research team has generated a pipeline of novel drug candidates in clinical development across a broad range of indications. It has applied gene knockout technology to thousands of potential drug targets encoded in the human genome. Lexicon’s genomics-based approach to drug discovery has enabled its scientists to select drug targets across a broad range of indications with high unmet medical need. All of its drug candidates are new molecular entities discovered internally by its dedicated drug discovery teams and designed to affect particular points on a genetically-defined pathway that can be used to fight a disease process. It has advanced new therapies across a wide spectrum of human disease, from conditions affecting millions of people, such as diabetes, to carcinoid syndrome, an orphan cancer indication with few treatment options.
Previously, Crum was an associate at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Andrews Kurth LLP as an associate. Crum earned a JD from The University of Texas School of Law and an undergraduate degree in finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
8. Arin Barooah
Company: Acutus Medical, Inc.
Title: Senior Vice President of Customer Experience
Arin Barooah is the Senior Vice President of Customer Experience at Acutus Medical, Inc., an arrhythmia management company focused on improving the way cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed and treated. It designs, manufactures, and markets a range of tools for catheter-based ablation procedures to treat various arrhythmias. Its product portfolio includes novel access sheaths, transseptal crossing tools, diagnostic and mapping catheters, ablation catheters, mapping and imaging consoles and accessories, as well as supporting algorithms and software programs. The company markets and sells its electrophysiology products worldwide to hospitals and electrophysiologists that treat patients with arrhythmias.
Before joining Acutus Medical, Inc., Barooah was a VP of Sales at BIOTRONIK, and before that, a senior regional director at St. Jude Medical. Earlier in his career, he worked with Bristol-Myers Squibb as a sales representative. Barooah graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington.
9. Ike Ogbaa
Company: Chinook Therapeutics, Inc.
Title: Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs
Ike Ogbaa is Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs at Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision medicines for kidney diseases. Drug development in kidney diseases is experiencing a resurgence due to a greater understanding of disease biology, utilization of novel translational platforms and patient stratification tools, and emergence of accelerated regulatory pathways based on surrogate endpoints. Chinook’s lead product candidate is atrasentan, which is a selective endothelin and a receptor antagonist that is developed for the treatment of proteinuric glomerular diseases. The company’s other products include BION-1301, an investigational humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody; and CHK-336, a liver-targeted, oral small molecule LDHA inhibitor developed for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria (PH), as well as secondary hyperoxaluria and idiopathic kidney stone formation.
Prior to Chinook, Ogbaa served as an associate program director at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. From there, he went on to PPD, before eventually rising to executive director and senior medical affairs leader of Daprodustat (Renal Specialty Care) at GSK, his most recent position prior to joining Chinook. Ogbaa graduated from Rutgers Medical School with an MD and from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in physiological psychology and psychobiology.
10. Chris Owens
Company: Gynesonics
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Chris Owens is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gynesonics. He first joined the company in 2014. Gynesonics is the world’s first and only intrauterine fibroid ablation system that combines the safety of ultrasound guidance with the proven benefits of targeted radiofrequency energy—all in one transcervical, incisionless procedure. Gynesonics is committed to providing women with a safe and effective scrape-free alternative to the invasive surgical techniques of hysterectomy or myomectomy for their symptomatic uterus, enabling clients to avail themselves of painless treatments for their severe menstrual symptoms associated with fibroids. Gynesonics’ mission is to advance women's health by developing transcervical, uterus-preserving, incisionless technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Previously, Owens was President and CEO of IDEV Technologies, Inc., and before that, VP of Worldwide Marketing at MicroVention-Terumo. Earlier in his career, he worked with Edwards Lifesciences as a senior staff engineer. Owens earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree and undergraduate degree in plastics engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
11. Joanna Williams
Company: Lexitas Pharma Services, Inc.
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Joanna Williams is the Chief Operating Officer of Lexitas Pharma Services, Inc., a full-service CRO partnering with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies specializing in ophthalmics. It pairs world-class expertise in ophthalmology clinical operations with years of experience partnering with highly-regarded clinical investigators in eye care. The Lexitas team has extensive experience designing, planning, and executing eye-care clinical studies. The company employs site management strategies that are tailored to the unique requirements of each study, resulting in a proven track record of stellar performance. It offers study design and protocol development; endpoint evaluation and selection; site selection, management, and training; clinical project management and monitoring; medical monitoring; data management & biostatistics; and medical affairs & commercialization strategies.
Before joining Lexitas Pharma Services, Inc., Williams was Vice President of Interactive Technologies at ICON plc, and before that, she co-founded ETM Technologies. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Baylor College of Medicine as a product manager of the Genetics Diagnostics Laboratories. Williams graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in genetics.
12. Tim Daugherty
Company: Millar, Inc.
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Tim Daugherty is the Chief Executive Officer of Millar, Inc. Millar leads the development of catheter-based, solid-state pressure sensors and is known worldwide as the leader in sensors that advance medical understanding. Its clinical and research product lines provide innovative physiological monitoring solutions to the medical science community that offer insight by delivering unparalleled accuracy. Millar OEM Solutions serves the medical device and life sciences industries through its MEMS pressure sensors, ISO 13485 precision manufacturing, and wireless pressure technology, resulting in cost savings and rapid time to market for device integration. Millar’s expertise in novel device design, manufacturing, and depth of understanding of customers’ applications enables the company to provide tools for facilitating scientific discovery and medical diagnosis. With its proven Mikro-Tip® pressure and pressure-volume catheter lines and its pressure-volume (PV) loop systems, Millar strives to provide clinicians and researchers with the most exact physiological solutions for complete insight from mouse to man.
Daugherty started at Millar in 2003 as a technical sales & support engineer and worked his way up to CEO, holding the positions of product manager, sales manager, and president, among others, along the way. He graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering.
13. Jens Hüttges
Company: Cardiac Imaging, Inc.
Title: Chief Technology Officer
Jens Hüttges is the Chief Technology Officer of Cardiac Imaging, Inc. He first joined the company in 2020. Cardiac Imaging brings together advanced nuclear medicine technology with convenient care through its mobile cardiac PET clinics and turnkey fixed site installations. Its service allows physicians to treat patients for cardiac disease with the most cutting edge tools in molecular imaging, without leaving the comfort of practice. Cardiac Imaging exclusively performs cardiac PET imaging exams, the recognized gold standard across the United States in detecting early coronary artery disease before it is evident on other imaging tests. When partnering with Cardiac Imaging, it performs every aspect of the cardiac PET exam so that the main focus is treating the patient.
Previously, Hüttges was a business developer at Southwestern Imaging Systems and Service, and before that, general manager for MiE America, Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked with RadoScan and MiE GmbH as a service engineer.
14. Fabby Tudic
Company: Houston MRI & Diagnostic Imaging
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Fabby Tudic is the Chief Operating Officer of Houston MRI & Diagnostic Imaging. Since 1997, the radiologists at Houston MRI & Diagnostic Imaging have been providing excellent diagnostic imaging tests in the city. Its main focus is to provide high quality MRI and radiology exams in a comfortable Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility—an outpatient setting—and thus save time and money for the patient, because its mission is to provide patients and physicians with cost saving diagnostic testing in a warm and patient friendly environment. It is the company’s goal to make the testing procedure as enjoyable as possible and keep the promise of being a "Hospital quality Imaging Center without the Hospital costs.” Certified by the American College of Radiology, patients are served quickly and physicians are provided with prompt results. Houston MRI & Diagnostic Imaging is owned and operated by physicians that specialize in diagnostic imaging (radiologists)—not entrepreneurs or business people—allowing the company to put the quality care of the patient first.
Before joining Houston MRI & Diagnostic Imaging, Tudic was a controller at Polaris Medical Imaging, LLC. Earlier in her career, she worked with Houston Medical Imaging as an MRI Technologist. Tudic graduated from California State University, Northridge with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
15. Namita Gandhi
Company: Hummingbird Bioscience
Title: Vice President of Disease Area Strategy
Namita Gandhi is the Vice President of Disease Area Strategy at Hummingbird Bioscience, a data-driven precision biotherapeutics team discovering and developing transformative biologic medicines for hard-to-treat diseases. The Hummingbird Bioscience model combines computational and systems biology with wet lab drug discovery in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment spanning initial discovery through clinical development. The company harnesses this integrated approach across target identification and patient selection, enabling its team to increase the efficiency of translating novel scientific insights while reducing the inherent risk in drug discovery and development. At Hummingbird Bioscience, its commitment to rigorous science, teamwork, and intellectual integrity underpins its passion to accelerate the journey of new drugs from concept to clinic.
Gandhi first got her start in 2005 as a clinical research scientist at Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From there, she went on to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., before eventually rising to co-lead of The Target Translation Consortium at Experimental Drug Development Centre, her most recent position prior to joining Hummingbird Bioscience. Gandhi graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center with a PhD in immunology and from the University of Maryland with an undergraduate degree in biology.
16. Janet Stump
Company: The Marena Group
Title: Senior Director of U.S. Sales
Janet Stump is the Senior Director of U.S. Sales for The Marena Group. She first joined the company in early 2020 as the National Sales Manager. With her most recent promotion to Senior Director of U.S. Sales, Stump is responsible for Marena’s largest single market worldwide, including all U.S. Professional and Hospital revenue, and leads a diverse team of Sales Development Representatives, Account Managers, New Business Account Executives, and Strategic Accounts Managers. Marena is the global leader and industry expert in the advancement and innovation of medical grade compression and post-surgical recovery garments. The company is an FDA registered, Class 1 medical device manufacturer headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Its mission is to help patients around the world recover comfortably and with confidence. Marena offers four unique product portfolios to support patients throughout the recovery journey including Recovery, Shape, Sport, and their newest portfolio, Marena Maternity.
Stump first got her start in healthcare at Smiths Medical, where she held several roles throughout her tenure including Account Manager, Regional Manager, and National Strategic Accounts. She earned awards and recognition including 100% Club, Regional Manager of the Year, and was selected to participate in The Emerging Leaders Program. From there, Stump went on to other prominent companies such as The Posey Company/TIDI Products and MiMedx prior to joining Marena. Stump is a Breast Cancer Survivor, and she is passionate about raising awareness for Breast Cancer. Her most memorable moments were participating in the Pan Mass Challenge, where she raised $10K for Dana-Farber Cancer Research, and presenting to the University of Texas San Antonio’s ZTA chapter about her journey with Breast Cancer. Stump graduated from The University of Houston-Clear Lake with a master’s degree in industrial psychology and bachelor’s in business administration.
17. Kimberly Wilkinson
Company: Avation Medical
Title: Senior Director of Clinical Operations
With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, Ms. Wilkinson is charged with leading Avation’s clinical team in the planning, protocol development, execution and management of clinical trials.
Since starting at Avaion in 2021, Kimberly has built out a thriving clinical team and clinical department starting with creating department SOPs, revising training materials, establishing and fostering longstanding relationships with 15 research sites, to fully enrolling two trials. Under her leadership, Avation has been able to save over $150,000 on the build of a new EDC/CTMS/eTMF/Site Payment system, and $2500 per Subject in research costs.
Prior to joining Avation, Kimberly worked in as a senior director position in clinical operations for Sollis Therapeutics, where she successfully directed the clinical trial for sciatica pain, managing 29 research sites and fully enrolling 300 Subjects in two trials in under one year. Previously, she was a Director of Advocacy Relations and Scientific Affairs for Pacira Pharmaceuticals, working tirelessly to educate lawmakers at the Federal and State level on potential solutions to the opioid epidemic. During this time, she was able to help clear a path for two Bills to be passed in California, open doors for additional legislation in Indiana and Massachusetts, and assembled Opioid Addiction Research that was ultimately published on the National Governors Association (NGA) Website. She also held positions with Heron Therapeutic, Baxter Pharmaceuticals, PDL BioPharma, and The Armamentarium.
Kimberly has a Masters of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior and Management from the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She has held several positions, including Vice Chair, with committees with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where she actively raises money for scholarships for students in Texas. Kimberly is also a former Board of Director member of the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP).
18. Ersin Bayram, PhD
Company: Perimeter Medical Imaging AI
Title: Director of AI and Data Science
Ersin Bayram is the Director of AI and Data Science for Perimeter Medical Imaging AI. Perimeter Medical Imaging AI is a medical technology company driven to transform cancer surgery with ultra-high resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools that address unmet medical needs. Perimeter aspires to harness the power of big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning technology to further its mission of improving the standard of care, providing better long-term outcomes for patients, and reducing healthcare costs.
Bayram has 20 years of experience in the healthcare technology industry. Before joining Perimeter Medical AI, he was the Director of Oncology at GE Healthcare MRI Division. Before GE, he served as research faculty in the Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and acted as a consultant for Targacept, Inc. in AI-based drug discovery. Bayram received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Bilkent University, Turkey, then his MS and PhD degrees from Wake Forest University in Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering, respectively. He is a passionate leader focusing on Artificial Intelligence and applying transformative technologies in healthcare. Bayram and his teams have generated more than 20 patents, many of which are actively utilized in medical devices around the globe.
19. Diane Markesich
Company: CSSi LifeSciences
Title: Director of Translational Research
Diane Markesich is the Director of Translational Research at CSSi LifeSciences, a global, innovative CRO and consulting group that specializes in advancing drugs and medical device technologies from discovery to commercialization. It offers customized solutions to propel lifescience technologies to market by mitigating risks, time, and cost, while increasing chances of success. Its insights, proven processes, and strategic perspective deliver a clear and actionable pathway to successful commercialization, and its integrated model provides optimum value-creation for early-stage and emerging growth companies. CSSi LifeSciences has the industry experience and knowledge to connect companies to strategic investors and resources that can rapidly accelerate a research discovery to commercialization. It has helped its clients raise over $700 million in capital over the past three years. Its mission is to accelerate the development of new drugs and medical devices to patients who can benefit most.
Before joining CSSi LifeSciences, Markesich was a staff scientist in the Department of Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, and before that, a director of preclinical research and operations at Pulmotect, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Veterans Administration as a senior research associate. Markesich graduated from Rice University with a PhD in biochemistry and cell biology and from Gannon University with an undergraduate degree in chemistry.
20. Zac Potter
Company: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
Title: Vice President and Corporate Controller
Zac Potter is the Vice President and Corporate Controller of Treace Medical Concepts, Inc., a commercial-stage orthopedic medical device company with the goal of advancing the standard of care for the surgical management of bunion deformities and related midfoot correction. Bunions are complex 3-dimensional deformities that originate from an unstable joint in the middle of the foot. Treace has pioneered and patented the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ system – a combination of instruments, implants, and surgical methods designed to correct all 3 planes of the bunion deformity and secure the unstable joint, addressing the root cause of the bunion and helping patients get back to their active lifestyles. Treace recently expanded its offering with the Adductoplasty™ Midfoot Correction System, designed for reproducible correction of the midfoot which could provide further support to hallux valgus patients.
Potter first got his start in 1999 as an assistant accountant at KPMG US. Later, he served as a director for Ensco plc before eventually rising to VP of Corporate Finance at LivaNova, his most recent position prior to joining Treace. Potter graduated from Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
21. Johnny Goodman
Company: CPAP.com
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Johnny Goodman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CPAP.com. He co-founded the company in 2004 and served as General Manager for more than 10 years. CPAP.com is a family owned and operated business dedicated to providing affordable sleep apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy. Established in 1999, CPAP.com is proud of the dynamic, caring staff it has built, and the products and services it is able to offer its customers. Currently, CPAP.com stocks more than 1,000 different products, including more than 230 masks, 60 machines, and 70 comfort items. Its company goal is to always stock the largest selection, at low prices, while also providing unmatched customer service. CPAP.com strives to keep the latest products in stock complete with thorough information. In short, CPAP.com wants to help customers get the best equipment suited for their needs at a great price.
In January of this year, CPAP.com received a strategic investment from global investment firm Cathay Capital and will benefit from the firm’s support as it accelerates its development and strengthens its leadership position in the field of sleep apnea treatment. Goodman earned an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.
22. Praveen Kudithipudi
Company: Deep Genomics
Title: Vice President of Business Development
Praveen Kudithipudi is the Vice President of Business Development at Deep Genomics, a biotechnology company that builds proprietary artificial intelligence and uses it to discover new ways to correct the effects of genetic mutations and develop personalized therapies for individuals with rare Mendelian disorders and complex diseases. The company has more than 50 team members with expertise in artificial intelligence, automation, cell and molecular biology, clinical development, in vitro disease models, machine learning, medicine, molecular genetics, preclinical development, organic chemistry, and software engineering. Its discoveries have made the front pages of journals like Nature Magazine and international newspapers like The New York Times. Deep Genomics’ mission is to serve patients by building and using artificial intelligence to discover and develop better treatments for genetic diseases, both rare and with large prevalence.
Before joining Deep Genomics, Kudithipudi was a director of business development at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.), and before that, a director of business development (incubator/VC) at Fannin Innovation Studio. Earlier in his career, he worked with NHS Tayside as a resident physician in neuroscience. Kudithipudi graduated with an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India) with an MD.
23. Cindy Ulmet-Frangullie
Company: Shared Imaging, LLC
Title: Vice President of Mid South Region
Cindy Ulmet-Frangullie is the Vice President of the Mid South Region at Shared Imaging, LLC. Shared Imaging owns hundreds of diagnostic imaging systems from most leading manufacturers including GE, Siemens, Philips, and Canon Medical Systems. Its experience as owners, operators, and service providers gives the company unmatched asset management expertise. It uses this proven proficiency to assist its customers in optimizing the use of diagnostic imaging technology. Shared Imaging offers the latest CT, MRI, and PET technology from all major manufacturers; in-house, mobile and modular configurations; upgrades to ensure technology stays up-to-date; and customized service solutions to prevent equipment downtime and lost revenue. In addition, it has proudly earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety.
Ulmet-Frangullie first got her start in 1999 as an account manager at Instrumentarium Imaging, Inc. From there, she went on to GE Healthcare, before eventually rising to national sales manager at Dilon Diagnostics, her most recent position prior to joining Shared Imaging, LLC.
24. Corey Dixon
Company: Omniscient Neurotechnology
Title: Vice President of Sales for North America
Corey Dixon is the Vice President of Sales for North America at Omniscient Neurotechnology. He first joined the company in 2020. Omniscient Neurotechnology is a pioneering brain mapping company that is revolutionizing brain care with data. It creates enterprise grade clinical and research solutions applicable to a variety of brain-related disorders including depression, chronic pain, cancer, bi-polar disorder, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and PTSD, with the goal of bringing predictive analytics to the world faster. Using innovations in medical imaging and machine learning, Omniscient builds applications capable of mapping and analyzing “brain networks” which are formed by the electrical connections within a person’s brain. The company aims to radically change the care of patients with brain disease by turning loose machine learning/AI and big data to actually provide useful information to doctors. This involves both facilitating research and providing high quality data-based guidance to clinicians.
Previously, Dixon was a senior regional sales manager at Synaptive Medical, and before that, a territory manager at Visualase, Inc.. Earlier in his career, he worked with Surgical Orthomedics as a spine and orthopedics consultant. Dixon earned an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, and physics from the University of North Texas.
25. Kelly Jenkins
Company: Gene by Gene
Title: Vice President of Operations
Kelly Jenkins is the Vice President of Operations at Gene by Gene, a commercial genetic testing company and the parent company of Family Tree DNA. It is intended to facilitate genomic study for medical and research purposes. Its platform focuses on genome sequencing, carrier screening, data management, chromosomal microarrays, and computational analysis. It also offers regulated diagnostic tests, enabling medical researchers to make next-generation DNA sequencing and clinical genomics accessible and affordable to all. Gene by Gene has a mission to empower everyone to make decisions on their genetic health by developing affordable, high-quality genetic testing services. With its own in-house laboratory, it offers a wide variety of DNA testing services for purposes ranging from personal to legal. The company offers Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and microarray services for dedicated researchers; myDNA Pharmacogenomic Testing that determines how a patient’s genes may influence how they metabolize and respond to specific medications; forensic and genetic genealogy services; FamilyTreeDNA that explores a patient’s DNA and allows them to learn more about their ancestry; and paternity, maternity, and immigration DNA testing services.
Prior to assuming her current role at Gene by Gene, Jenkins served as Vice President of Finance and Manager of Finance and Administration. She graduated from Wilmington University with a bachelor’s in accounting and finance and a bachelor’s in human resources management and personnel administration.
