Amendia Appoints COO to Chief Executive Post

Amendia Inc., a designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of spinal surgical technologies, has appointed Chief Operating Officer Chris Fair as president and CEO. The company also appointed Scott Bruder, M.D., Ph.D., a current Amendia director, as board chairman.
 
Fair assumes the CEO position from Amendia founder Jeff Smith, who will continue with Amendia as a part of its leadership team, serving as chairman of the Executive Committee. Smith will also remain one of Amendia’s largest shareholders. The Executive Committee will comprise Smith, Fair, Bruder, and representatives of Kohlberg & Company, Amendia’s financial partner.

“I couldn’t be prouder to see Amendia attract world-class leaders like Chris and Scott,” commented Smith. “Chris and Scott are strong believers in Amendia’s mission and are enthusiastic about building on our core value proposition, including our vertically-integrated business model and our focus on improving surgical outcomes and the lives of patients with spinal disorders. I am excited for my new role as it will allow me to work closely with experienced spine professionals like Chris and Scott and continue to support Amendia’s future success, while focusing my energy on the areas of the business where my passions burn brightest and my impact on Amendia’s mission can be most meaningful.”

Fair joined Amendia as its chief operating officer in April. He has 25 years of spine industry experience, including a decade at DePuy Spine and leading sales and marketing at St. Francis Medical prior to its acquisition by Kyphon. Fair also worked with Amendia in a consulting role over the last five years before joining the company as a full-time employee.

“I am honored to have been selected for this role and I thank Jeff Smith and the Amendia management team and Board of Directors for their confidence in me,” said Fair. “I could not be more energized about what lies ahead for us as a company. I am excited to lead the strong and passionate team of Amendia employees and partners forward to achievement of our goals.”

Bruder has 30 years of relevant corporate, scientific and clinical experience, including past positions as chief medical and scientific officer of Stryker Corporation, chief science and technology officer of Becton, Dickinson and Company, and worldwide vice president at DePuy Spine. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University, and has served on advisory panels at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, various committees in the Orthopaedic Research Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the boards of several other privately held or public medtech companies.

“Since joining the Amendia Board of Directors, I have been thoroughly impressed with the company’s product portfolio, pipeline of products and technologies in development, and employee base committed to delivering clinically meaningful solutions and superior customer service,” said Bruder. “I look forward to working closely with the Amendia executive team to build on the company’s  foundation and deliver maximum value to Amendia’s current and future customers and partners.”

Headquartered in an integrated design and manufacturing facility in Marietta, Ga., Amendia designs, develops, manufactures and markets spinal surgical products.