Our People
Business Strategy & Execution
Product Development & Commercialization
Investor Relations & Fundraising
Operational Leadership
Financial Modeling Profit & Loss Management
Contract Negotiations
Marketing
Revenue Generation
Board Leadership
Dan Sands, Managing Partner
Growth
Growth-driven, decisive, and award-winning entrepreneur with expertise in scaling and expanding companies in the medical device and technology industries. Perceptive corporate strategist who recognizes new market opportunities and stands up businesses from concept to commercialization and acquisition. Multi-patent holder known for transforming ideas into groundbreaking products and technologies highly sought-after by large healthcare and medical device companies.
Experience
- Drove all aspects of three successful startups and three corporate expansions.
- Commercialized 20+ patented medical devices worth tens of millions of dollars in new revenue.
- Built strong commercial relationships and won multiple complex contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and hospitals.
Education
- Associate of Science (AS) in Plastics Engineering Technology | Ball State University
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Manufacturing Engineering Technology | Ball State University
- Master of Science in Management (MSM) | Indiana Wesleyan University
Strategic Portfolio Development
Product Road-Mapping
Design for Manufacturability
Design Control Processes & Standards
Lean Practices & Continuous Improvement
Business Planning & Strategy
Complex Product Development
Portfolio Prioritization
Resource Allocation and Tools
Shaher Ahmad, Partner
Product Life Cycle Management
Innovative engineer, research and design expert, and product launch specialist who provides guidance to companies throughout the complete product development cycle. Builds on his leadership roles in small and large medical device companies and extensive network to offer expertise to bring medical products from concept to commercialization.
Experience
- Research and development engineer and executive leader with extensive expertise in medical device innovation and commercialization.
- Numerous patents for medical devices, systems, and methods.
- Record of developing and implementing progressive strategic vision, building and managing teams, and engaging stakeholders.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Bioengineering | Arizona State University
- Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) | University of Texas at Dallas
Building Effective Leadership Teams
General Management
Mergers & Acquisitions
New Product Development
Financial Management
Board Leadership
Business Integration
Strategic Planning & Implementation
Bob Peterhans, Partner
Business Strategy, Execution & Operations
Dynamic, self-driven, and results-focused executive with extensive experience supporting growth and enhancing profit for several global organizations in the healthcare industry. An executive advisor who motivates and mentors teams through leadership and aligned objectives.
Experience
- Successfully led multiple global medical device divisions ($50M – $500M in revenue) to growth and profitability.
- Acquired three businesses and led the integration of five businesses into acquiring organizations.
- International experience navigating cultures in start up and large corporations.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering | Michigan Technological University
- Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering | University of Iowa
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Marketing | University of Chicago
Board Management
Innovation
Business Development
Program Management
Executive Leadership & Employee Relations
Executive Advising & Coaching
Mark Shaker, Partner
Partner Engagement
Highly motivated and engaged executive who has successfully driven innovation and operational excellence for a large health system in the Midwest. Career commitment to the delivery of quality care, revenue growth, and financial efficiency.
Experience
- CEO of three divisions of health system including 500+ bed health systems and teaching referral center.
- Hospital / health system executive focused on employee relations, financial management, clinical and operational quality, and financial / cost management initiatives.
- Assist entrepreneurs and healthcare business realize their missions and financial success.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) | The Ohio State University
- Master of Health Administration (MHA) | Washington University School of Medicine
Business Development
Lean Canvas (Desire, Feasibility, Viability)
- Product & Technology Roadmap
Research & Development
Product Management
Intellectual Property
Project Management & Rescue
Startups / Bootstrapping
Mike Wentz, Partner
Business Development
Partners with medical startups to create value by turning problems into products. Utilizes extreme customer focus and a collaborative approach to align practical technology with the business needs of the company.
Experience
- Strong science and technical background with 20 years of experience across research, product development, marketing, regulatory, and business development.
- Recognized as a project catalyst and effective translator between engineers, cross-functional teams, clinicians, executive leadership, and stakeholders.
- Comfortable in a boardroom creating a company vision, or digging into the weeds with scientists and engineers to solve a mission-critical technical problem.
- Appreciation for strategic partnerships, co-development, technology transfer, and bootstrapping for early shareholder value.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS) Mechanical Engineering | University of Pittsburgh
- Master of Science (MS) Mechanical and Bioengineering | University of Pittsburgh
Commercial Team Creation and Leadership
Sales & Marketing Strategy
Revenue Generation
Market Evaluation
Product Development & Commercialization
Operational Leadership
Supply Chain Management
General Management
Kevin Haines, Partner
Sales and Marketing
Sales, marketing, and general management executive responsible for the successful commercial launch of numerous medical devices. Winner of multiple awards for sales and marketing excellence who utilizes “in-field” experience to build dynamic commercial teams. Significant experience building relationships with key stakeholders within small and multi-billion dollar organizations.
Experience
- 25-year successful career including multiple President’s Awards for sales and marketing excellence.
- Led the formation and commercial efforts of private equity startup resulting in the acquisition of four medical device companies totaling $150M+ in revenue.
- Commercially launched multiple successful medical device product lines.
- Built several outstanding commercial teams.
Education
- Bachelor of Administration in Economics | Indiana University
Executive Leadership Training
Talent Acquisition & Development
National & International Sales Leadership
Revenue Generation
Commercial Team Building
P&L Ownership
New Market Identification & Penetration
Board Relations & Collaboration
Product Development & Launch
Paul Rhyne, Partner
Sales and Marketing
Global sales executive with a record of leading organizations through building and developing award-winning healthcare teams that understand how to drive demand, increase market share and deliver increased top-line profitable growth. Experienced problem-solver with diverse experience leading regional, national, and international sales teams. Broad experience in startup, pre-revenue startup, and Fortune 100/500 companies.
Experience
- Held every important commercial sales role within Class III surgical device implant space.
- Led the creation, development, and commercialization plan of disruptive surgical illumination platforms for minimally invasive spine surgery.
- Led national and international commercial teams responsible for launching over 20 new Class III surgical devices.
- Former United States Army officer that led high-performing teams in the most demanding environments.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Pre-med / Biology | The Citadel Military College of South Carolina