Natus Medical Announces Leadership Changes

Natus Medical Incorporated announced that CEO Jim Hawkins is retiring after 14 years of service. Under his leadership, the company has grown from $30 million in annual revenue and a single product offering to over $500 million in annual revenue offering comprehensive products and solutions in the neurology and neurodiagnostics, newborn care, and diagnostic hearing markets. During this time, Natus’ market capitalization has grown from approximately $70 million to $1.2 billion. As part of a planned succession, Jonathan Kennedy, who has served as chief financial officer (CFO) since April 2013, has been appointed president and CEO, effective immediately. Kennedy has also been appointed to the Natus Board of Directors. 
 
In addition, the company announced that Barbara Paul, M.D., has been appointed chairperson of the Natus Board of Directors.
 
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Jim Hawkins for his service and many contributions to Natus. Jim has been a visionary leader who transformed Natus into the strong global company it is today. Jim leaves Natus financially sound with attractive market opportunities and an experienced and stable management team,” Paul said. “Jonathan is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our business operations and a clear vision for the future. He has diverse experience leading both technology and medical device companies, spearheading acquisition integration efforts and developing and implementing cost reduction initiatives on a worldwide basis. No one is better prepared than Jonathan to lead Natus into its next phase of growth and value creation and the board has the utmost confidence in him.”
 
Hawkins will receive the benefits to which he is entitled upon a termination without cause, other than in connection with a change of control. 
 
Hawkins said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Natus’ CEO over the past 14 years and I thank Natus’ employees for their hard work and partnership on this journey. I am proud of all that we have accomplished in building Natus into the leader it is today. I have known and worked with Jonathan for several years and am confident that he is the right leader to keep Natus moving forward and delivering products and solutions to our customers and creating value for our shareholders.
 
In connection with Kennedy’s appointment, Sharon Villaverde, vice president of Finance, has been appointed interim CFO, effective immediately. The company will conduct a comprehensive search to identify a permanent CFO with both internal and external candidates being considered.
 
Kennedy joined Natus as CFO in April 2013 and served as general manager of Natus’ Newborn Care Business Unit from April 2017 to February 2018. Before joining Natus, Kennedy was CFO of Intersil Corporation, a global semiconductor manufacturer, since 2009. Prior to that, he was Intersil’s corporate controller since 2005 and director of Finance since 2004. Before joining Intersil, Kennedy held management roles in finance and information technology with Alcon Inc. and Harris Corporation. He has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of science degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida.
 
Kennedy said, “I am honored to lead Natus during this pivotal time in the company’s history. When I joined Natus, I was impressed by the pace at which the company had grown and gained leading positions in its markets. Natus has added neurodiagnostics, neurosurgery and hearing diagnostics to its legacy newborn care business—and with new products like Otoscan, the company has clear potential to meaningfully enhance patient care. I look forward to working with the rest of the Natus leadership team to create value for our shareholders, provide customers and patients with products and services and employees with opportunities to continue to grow.”
 
Natus provides healthcare products and services used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments in newborn care, hearing impairment, neurological dysfunction, neurosurgery, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and balance and mobility disorders.