AdvaMed Hires New VP of Government Affairs

Duane Wright has joined the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) as a vice president of government affairs.

“This is a critically important time for America’s medical technology companies as health reform implementation continues and the industry re-negotiates the Medical Device User Fee Act,” said J.C. Scott, senior executive vice president of government affairs. “Duane’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in our various advocacy efforts.”

It is actually the tough times that made the job so appealing to Wright, who is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and George Washington University Law School.

“One of the big reasons I took this job is because this is an industry that creates jobs,” Wright told Medical Product Outsourcing. Citing current policy issues that are threatening such creation, Wright said he is prepared to help AdvaMed ensure that the medtech industry remains on the forefront of innovation and job creation.

Wright joins AdvaMed from The Glover Park Group, where he served as vice president of government relations. In this role, he advocated for clients in various sectors of the health care industry, including devices and health insurance. Before that, Wright was vice president of federal affairs at America’s Health Insurance Plans. He also has served in a number of capacities on Capitol Hill, including in the offices of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis (D-Fla.).

“We’re pleased to welcome Duane to our team,” Scott said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in health care legislative matters and regulatory affairs.”