IRIS International, Inc. (IRIS International), a in-vitro diagnostic imaging company, has appointed its current director Edward F. Voboril as new independent lead director, replacing Richard H. Williams who will leave the IRIS International board of directors. Voboril is currently chairman of the board of Analogic Corporation (Analogic). He has been a member of the Analogic board since 1990.
In 2008, Voboril, 66, retired as chairman of Greatbatch, Inc., where he served as chief executive officer from 1990 to 2006. During his tenure at Greatbatch, he led the company from revenues of about $30 million to $318 million in 2007 as Greatbatch evolved from a small specialty battery manufacturer to a world leader in the supply of precision components for implantable medical devices. Under his leadership, Greatbatch’s growth was driven by both the development of its own proprietary technology and complementary acquisitions.
Voboril also served as vice president and general manager of the Biomedical Division of PPG Industries and held senior executive positions in the medical businesses of Honeywell, General Electric, Syntex and Litton Industries. In addition, from 1995 to 1998, he was president of the Health Care Industries Association (HCIA), a not-for-profit trade association and networking support organization in Western New York that provides professional services for healthcare industries and institutions.
Voboril is presently also an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering and chairman of ‘NUvention,’ a new program focused on innovation in life sciences at Northwestern University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard University where he was a Baker Scholar.
“Since joining the IRIS board in July of 2008, Voboril has emerged as a valuable non-executive Board member. His extensive career within the medical device and healthcare industry, including some 20 years of senior executive and director experience for mid-sized pubic companies, having served on audit, nominating, compensation and corporate governance committees, makes him an ideal choice for independent lead director. We welcome him to his new role which is effective immediately, and look forward to his continuing contributions,” stated César García, chairman, president and chief executive officer of IRIS International.
“I am pleased to be named new independent lead director and look forward to working with the other IRIS Board members who, along with me, are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance,” said Voboril.