BBT Management
Eric B. Timko | Branko Jaramaz, PhD | Jim Woll | Jim Bruty | John Tierney | Rick Confer | Jeff Gellman
Mike Lobinsky | Costa Nikou | Jim Moody | Adam J. Hahn, PE | Adam J. Simone | Maria F. Calabria
Eric B. Timko +PRESIDENT AND CEO
Mr. Timko joined Blue Belt Technologies in August of 2011, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in the medical industry. Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Timko was the President and CEO of NeuroVasx, Inc., a Minneapolis-based company developing a unique therapeutic device to treat hemorrhagic stroke. Previously, he served as President of Carl Zeiss Surgical, Inc. and as Vice President of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. Mr. Timko possesses a proven track record in building an effective and profitable sales and distribution organization. He brings vast experience in medical technologies both at the start-up and late stages of development and is very enthusiastic about Blue Belt Technologies’ current products and vision for the future. Mr. Timko and his wife Alicia reside in Minnesota with their four children.
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Mr. Timko joined Blue Belt Technologies in August of 2011, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in the medical industry. Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Timko was the President and CEO of NeuroVasx, Inc., a Minneapolis-based company developing a unique therapeutic device to treat hemorrhagic stroke. Previously, he served as President of Carl Zeiss Surgical, Inc. and as Vice President of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. Mr. Timko possesses a proven track record in building an effective and profitable sales and distribution organization. He brings vast experience in medical technologies both at the start-up and late stages of development and is very enthusiastic about Blue Belt Technologies’ current products and vision for the future. Mr. Timko and his wife Alicia reside in Minnesota with their four children.
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Branko Jaramaz, PhD +CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Jaramaz is one of the pioneers of Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery, and a co-developer of HipNav, the first surgical navigation system for total hip replacement. His professional and research interests encompass the areas of simulation for surgery and rehabilitation, medical image processing and medical robotics.
Dr. Jaramaz is one of the pioneers of Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery, and a co-developer of HipNav, the first surgical navigation system for total hip replacement. His professional and research interests encompass the areas of simulation for surgery and rehabilitation, medical image processing and medical robotics.
For his work in this area Dr. Jaramaz has received several awards, including the 1998 Hip Society Otto Aufranc Award, and the 2008 Maurice E. Müller Award for Excellence in Computer Assisted Surgery. He was awarded several patents and has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications. Dr. Jaramaz received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering/Computational Mechanics from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Jim Woll +CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Jim Woll joined Blue Belt in February 2011 after completing a 25 year career at Respironics, Inc., a Pittsburgh based manufacturer of respiratory medical devices where he held executive positions in finance and international operations. During Jim’s career at Respironics, revenues grew from $4 million to $1.2 billion and headcount grew from 100 to almost 5,000, and the company was acquired by Royal Philips Electronics in 2008 for $5 billion. He has degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Robert Morris University and began his professional career at Ernst & Young. Jim lives in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh with his wife and three children and serves on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and ACHIEVA.
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Jim Woll joined Blue Belt in February 2011 after completing a 25 year career at Respironics, Inc., a Pittsburgh based manufacturer of respiratory medical devices where he held executive positions in finance and international operations. During Jim’s career at Respironics, revenues grew from $4 million to $1.2 billion and headcount grew from 100 to almost 5,000, and the company was acquired by Royal Philips Electronics in 2008 for $5 billion. He has degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Robert Morris University and began his professional career at Ernst & Young. Jim lives in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh with his wife and three children and serves on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and ACHIEVA.
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Jim Bruty +VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING
Jim Bruty comes to Blue Belt following a successful tenure at Stryker Corporation where he spent the past 9 years in Sales and Marketing leadership roles. A 15 year veteran of the medical device industry, Jim has extensive experience with a variety of companies including Brainlab, Laser Diagnostic Technologies, and Johnson and Johnson. Jim has a proven track record of building strong sales teams and extensive knowledge in marketing best practices. Mike Lobinsky joins the Blue Belt Technologies sales management team bringing over 16 years of experience in the medical device industry. Most recently he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BioMedix.
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Jim Bruty comes to Blue Belt following a successful tenure at Stryker Corporation where he spent the past 9 years in Sales and Marketing leadership roles. A 15 year veteran of the medical device industry, Jim has extensive experience with a variety of companies including Brainlab, Laser Diagnostic Technologies, and Johnson and Johnson. Jim has a proven track record of building strong sales teams and extensive knowledge in marketing best practices. Mike Lobinsky joins the Blue Belt Technologies sales management team bringing over 16 years of experience in the medical device industry. Most recently he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BioMedix.
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John Tierney +VP / GM EUROPE
Mr. Tierney joined Blue Belt Technologies in April, 2012 after 4 years in senior management positions at Smith & Nephew where his last role was VP New Business Development. Prior to that, he held a variety of management positions at Covidien over a period of 12 years. Mr. Tierney brings a rich experience and expertise in robotics in both orthopedic and other specialties. Educated at the Liverpool John Moores University where he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, Mr. Tierney is excited to build and lead the Blue Belt team through European expansion and commercialization. Mr. Tierney is married with three children and during his free time he enjoys coaching both rugby and football.
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Mr. Tierney joined Blue Belt Technologies in April, 2012 after 4 years in senior management positions at Smith & Nephew where his last role was VP New Business Development. Prior to that, he held a variety of management positions at Covidien over a period of 12 years. Mr. Tierney brings a rich experience and expertise in robotics in both orthopedic and other specialties. Educated at the Liverpool John Moores University where he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, Mr. Tierney is excited to build and lead the Blue Belt team through European expansion and commercialization. Mr. Tierney is married with three children and during his free time he enjoys coaching both rugby and football.
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Mike Lobinsky +AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES – EAST
Mike Lobinsky Joined the Blue Belt Tech team in February 2013 bringing 15+ years of experience in the medical device industry to the Sales Management team. During the course of his career he has held management, marketing, and business development positions in the fields of Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, ENT, Cardiovascular Surgery, and Medical Imaging. Most recently he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BioMedix. Mike is experienced in building and managing successful sales, marketing, and clinical organizations and in the market development of new and innovative products. He received degrees in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
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Mike Lobinsky Joined the Blue Belt Tech team in February 2013 bringing 15+ years of experience in the medical device industry to the Sales Management team. During the course of his career he has held management, marketing, and business development positions in the fields of Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, ENT, Cardiovascular Surgery, and Medical Imaging. Most recently he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BioMedix. Mike is experienced in building and managing successful sales, marketing, and clinical organizations and in the market development of new and innovative products. He received degrees in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
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Jeff Gellman +AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES – WEST
Jeff Gellman comes to Blue Belt after spending the past 20 years in the orthopedic marketplace in the areas of sports medicine, total joints, navigation, and most recently robotics at Mako Surgical. During the course of his career, he has held various sales, management and business development positions in the fields of orthopedics, cardiology, and diagnostic imaging with GE Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson. Jeff is experienced in developing new market segments and building high performing sales teams.
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Jeff Gellman comes to Blue Belt after spending the past 20 years in the orthopedic marketplace in the areas of sports medicine, total joints, navigation, and most recently robotics at Mako Surgical. During the course of his career, he has held various sales, management and business development positions in the fields of orthopedics, cardiology, and diagnostic imaging with GE Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson. Jeff is experienced in developing new market segments and building high performing sales teams.
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Rick Confer +VICE PRESIDENT OF QA & RA
Rick has been involved with Blue Belt in an advisory role since 2008 before joining full time to manage Quality and Regulatory Affairs activities in February 2011. Prior to joining Blue Belt Technologies, Rick was V.P. of Quality and Regulatory for Inspired Technologies, a Pittsburgh based respiratory equipment manufacturer. Other positions held include SVP of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Renal Solutions, Inc. a hemodialysis equipment manufacturer, now a division of Fresenius Medical ; VP of Quality Assurance at Cardiac Assist Technologies, which developed a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD); and VP of QA and RA for Respironics (Philips Home Healthcare), a Pittsburgh based manufacturer of respiratory equipment. Rick holds a BSEE from Penn State, a MBA from Gannon University and is a licensed professional engineer.
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Rick has been involved with Blue Belt in an advisory role since 2008 before joining full time to manage Quality and Regulatory Affairs activities in February 2011. Prior to joining Blue Belt Technologies, Rick was V.P. of Quality and Regulatory for Inspired Technologies, a Pittsburgh based respiratory equipment manufacturer. Other positions held include SVP of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Renal Solutions, Inc. a hemodialysis equipment manufacturer, now a division of Fresenius Medical ; VP of Quality Assurance at Cardiac Assist Technologies, which developed a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD); and VP of QA and RA for Respironics (Philips Home Healthcare), a Pittsburgh based manufacturer of respiratory equipment. Rick holds a BSEE from Penn State, a MBA from Gannon University and is a licensed professional engineer.
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Costa Nikou +DIRECTOR OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Nikou has contributed to the field of computer assisted orthopedics since 1996, when he joined the HipNav research team at Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute. Since then he has worked on many projects in computer assisted surgery, and has served as Blue Belt Technologies’ Director of Software Development since the company’s inception. Mr. Nikou holds a bachelors of science in Computer Science and a masters of science in Robotics, both from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Mr. Nikou has contributed to the field of computer assisted orthopedics since 1996, when he joined the HipNav research team at Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute. Since then he has worked on many projects in computer assisted surgery, and has served as Blue Belt Technologies’ Director of Software Development since the company’s inception. Mr. Nikou holds a bachelors of science in Computer Science and a masters of science in Robotics, both from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Jim Moody +DIRECTOR OF ROBOTICS
Mr. Moody joined Blue Belt Technologies as Director of Robotics in 2006. Prior to joining the team, Mr. Moody had worked since 1997 with medical and robotics research groups including the Robotics Institute (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh), Center for Orthopaedic Research (Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh), and the Institute for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh). He holds bachelor and masters degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Mr. Moody joined Blue Belt Technologies as Director of Robotics in 2006. Prior to joining the team, Mr. Moody had worked since 1997 with medical and robotics research groups including the Robotics Institute (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh), Center for Orthopaedic Research (Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh), and the Institute for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh). He holds bachelor and masters degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Adam J. Hahn, PE +DIRECTOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mr. Hahn is an accomplished engineer with over ten years of experience in the medical device field. He has served as Principal Mechanical Engineer and Director of Mechanical Engineering for Blue Belt Technologies since 2007, and is currently leading the engineering group responsible for the mechanical design and manufacture of the Navio™ System.
Mr. Hahn is an accomplished engineer with over ten years of experience in the medical device field. He has served as Principal Mechanical Engineer and Director of Mechanical Engineering for Blue Belt Technologies since 2007, and is currently leading the engineering group responsible for the mechanical design and manufacture of the Navio™ System.
Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Hahn held several engineering and management positions at world class medical companies including Medrad, Philips, and McKesson where he is listed as inventor on several patents. Mr. Hahn graduated magna cum laude with bachelors and masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Pennsylvania.
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Adam J. Simone +SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
Mr. Simone has been with Blue Belt Technologies since 2009, and serves as Sr. Product Manager of the NavioPFS™ System. In this capacity, Mr. Simone manages up and down-stream marketing for Blue Belt, and especially enjoys working with customers. He is excited to be at the forefront of commercializing a disruptive technology and enjoys working in the US and abroad. Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Simone held product development and engineering positions at world class consumer product companies including P&G and Hasbro. Mr. Simone graduated with a bachelors of science in Mechanical Engineering from the Northeastern University, and a masters degree in Biotechnology and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and Heinz College of Public Policy and Management. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Mr. Simone has been with Blue Belt Technologies since 2009, and serves as Sr. Product Manager of the NavioPFS™ System. In this capacity, Mr. Simone manages up and down-stream marketing for Blue Belt, and especially enjoys working with customers. He is excited to be at the forefront of commercializing a disruptive technology and enjoys working in the US and abroad. Prior to joining Blue Belt, Mr. Simone held product development and engineering positions at world class consumer product companies including P&G and Hasbro. Mr. Simone graduated with a bachelors of science in Mechanical Engineering from the Northeastern University, and a masters degree in Biotechnology and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and Heinz College of Public Policy and Management. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Maria F. Calabria +LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ms. Calabria has over 25 years of experience including leadership and technical management positions in both start-up and larger companies. She has successfully brought products to market in emerging and established companies in the medical device, life science and bio tech industries. Her experience with Cordis (J&J), Boston Scientific, ev3 (Covidien) and Pfizer, among others, has led to a seasoned approach to management. Previously a program management consultant, both domestically and internationally, implementing effective product and process development strategies.
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Ms. Calabria has over 25 years of experience including leadership and technical management positions in both start-up and larger companies. She has successfully brought products to market in emerging and established companies in the medical device, life science and bio tech industries. Her experience with Cordis (J&J), Boston Scientific, ev3 (Covidien) and Pfizer, among others, has led to a seasoned approach to management. Previously a program management consultant, both domestically and internationally, implementing effective product and process development strategies.
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