AngioDynamics Names New Board Chairman

AngioDynamics has a new leader. The company recently named Howard W. Donnelly, 52, as board chairman, replacing Vincent Bucci, who retired March 7.

“Howard’s medical device expertise and leadership since joining the board in 2004 are invaluable, and I look forward to continue working with him and the rest of the board to ensure we execute our business plan,” said Joseph DeVivo, AngioDynamics’ president/CEO.

Donnelly joined the AngioDynamics Board of Directors in March 2004 and is the president of Concert Medical LLC, a manufacturer of interventional medical devices. In addition, he is president and CEO of HydroCision Inc., a medical device manufacturer focused on the spine market. From 1999 to 2002, Donnelly was president of Level 1 Inc., a medical device manufacturer and a subsidiary of Smiths Group. From 1990-99, he worked for Pfizer Inc., with his last position being vice president, Business Planning and Development, for Pfizer’s Medical Technology Group from 1997-99.

“I am delighted the other board members have entrusted me to become AngioDynamics’ next chairman,” Donnelly said. “We have made significant progress commercializing innovative and disruptive products, such as the AngioVac Cannula and Circuit, our BioFlo platform and the Acculis microwave system, driving four quarters of improved sales results and positioning us for continued success.”

Donnelly’s predecessor served on the board for seven years, dating to January 2007. That is the month when AngioDynamics closed on a deal to buy RITA Medical Systems,which Bucci was chairing at the time. In a brief Securities and Exchange Commission filing, AngioDynamics wished Bucci well and said the departure “is not the result of any disagreement with the company.”

Bucci, who is in his late 50s, oversaw the hiring of three CEOs—all significant changes in their own right.

First, AngioDynamics co-founder Eamonn Hobbs left in early 2009, prompting Bucci and the board to hire Jan Keltjens. He lasted a little more than two years; the two sides parted ways on the heels of weaker financial results that disappointed the board of directors.
 

The third CEO hired on Bucci’s watch is the current one (DeVivo). The move reunited the two men from their days at RITA (after buying the company, Hobbs initially wanted to groom DeVivo as his successor). 

Bucci received $160,000 total compensation in the company’s previous fiscal year, according to regulatory filings.

Based in Latham, N.Y., AngioDynamics provides minimally invasive medical devices for vascular access, surgery, peripheral vascular disease and oncology. AngioDynamics’ product lines include ablation systems, fluid management systems, vascular access products, angiographic products and accessories, angioplasty products, drainage products, thrombolytic products and venous products.