Teleflex CEO Leaves Rochester Medical Corp. Board

Benson E. Smith, CEO of Teleflex Inc., is retiring from Rochester Medical Corporation’s board of directors to be replaced by Richard W. Kramp. Smith will leave his post when his term expires on Jan. 31, and his departure is related to prioritization of his time.

“Benson has been a great asset to Rochester Medical for the past twelve years,” said Rochester CEO Anthony J. Conway. “His knowledge of the marketplace and the medical device industry in general has been invaluable to us. We will miss his support, hard work, and good natured guidance.”

Kramp has been nominated for election as a replacement director, presumably to be voted on at the close of Benson’s term.

Kramp brings extensive experience in strategic planning and growth initiatives to Rochester’s board. He served as president, CEO and director of Synovis Life Technologies from January 2007 until February 2012, when Synovis was acquired by Baxter International Inc. He had served as president of Synovis since June 2006. From August 2004 to May 2006, he was president and chief operating officer (COO) of the former Interventional Solutions division of Synovis. Prior to joining Synovis, Kramp most recently served as the president and COO of Medical CV Inc. From 1988 to 2003, he was president and COO, and then CEO as well as a director of ATS Medical Inc. (now part of Medtronic Inc.). From 1978 to 1988, he held sales and marketing positions at St. Jude Medical Inc., serving as vice president of sales and marketing from 1981 to 1988. Kramp holds a master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

Rochester Medical Corporation develops disposable medical catheters and devices for urological and continence care applications. The company also sells ostomy and wound and scar care products and other brands of urological products in Europe.