Avinger Names VP of Sales

Redwood City, Calif.-based Avinger Inc., which makes image-guided, catheter-based systems for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), has named Joseph Rafferty vice president of sales. Rafferty will report directly to CEO Jeff Soinski.

Rafferty joins Avinger with more than 30 years of medical technology sales and marketing experience, primarily with peripheral vascular and coronary products and procedures. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of National Medical Sales, an organization providing third-party commercialization services to emerging medical technology companies, primarily in the fields of peripheral and coronary interventional devices. Rafferty’s extensive background includes leadership roles at Pathway Medical Technologies Inc., where he served as vice president of global sales, and Synthes Spine, where he led teams responsible for national accounts and sales operations. Earlier in his career Rafferty held sales and management roles in the Cardiosurgery division of C.R. Bard and the Advanced Cardiovascular Systems division of Guidant.

“After an extensive search, I am thrilled we have selected a VP of sales with the experience, talent and character of Joe Rafferty. He is a true leader with highly relevant experience in successfully building and growing sales organizations,” said Jeff Soinski, Avinger’s president and CEO. “As we anticipate the launch of Pantheris, our commercial strategy remains focused on raising awareness of our lumivascular platform, expanding the number of lumivascular accounts, and driving utilization of our image-guided catheters. Joe’s strong industry relationships and deep commercialization skills make him the perfect candidate to drive that strategy. I am excited to have him on our team, and look forward to working closely with him as he sets the direction and key strategies for our sales organization.”

“Joe’s experience dating back to ACS and several other innovative medical device companies of every size and stage makes him uniquely qualified to lead Avinger’s sales organization,” added John B. Simpson, M.D., Ph.D., executive chairman. “We are on the doorstep of launching Pantheris into the U.S. market, and I have the utmost confidence in Joe’s ability to lead our field organization and ensure our customers’ success with this revolutionary technology.”

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Avinger at this exciting and pivotal point in the Company’s growth,” said Rafferty. “I am impressed by what the company has already accomplished, and I look forward to making a valuable contribution to the planning and execution of our commercial strategies, as we work to meaningfully improve the lives of patients with PAD.”