NuVasive Names Executive VP, CFO

NuVasive Inc. has appointed Michael Lambert as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Monday.

The company, based in San Diego, Calif., which develops products for minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine, also has made some other promotions.

Most recently, Lambert served as chief financial officer of Advanced Medical Optics (purchased by Abbott Park, Ill.-based Abbott Laboratories in February), a medical device company focused on technologies used by eye-care professionals.

Lambert will succeed Kevin O’Boyle, who has served as the chief financial officer of NuVasive since the company went public in 2004.

“He [Lambert] has proven himself to be a strong financial leader, including experience as the chief financial officer of a medical device company with over $1 billion in revenue. Michael’s background has afforded him a wealth of experience in information technology and operations, which will be extremely valuable as we evolve into a much larger, yet still dynamic growth company,” said Alex Lukianov, chairman and CEO of NuVasive.

NuVasive also has announced the following promotions, effective Jan. 1:

• Patrick Miles will be promoted to president of the Americas. Miles will oversee NuVasive’s global creative product portfolio. Since 2001, Mr. Miles has devoted considerable energy and vision to leading development and marketing efforts.

• Jeffrey Rydin will be promoted to executive vice president of sales, Americas. Rydin will assume direct sales responsibility for the entire Americas’ sales force. Rydin joined NuVasive from New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson four years ago.

• Jason Hannon will be promoted to executive vice president and general counsel. Hannon will continue to be responsible for strategic planning, business development and legal. His role will expand to include government affairs and broader administrative influence.

• Takaaki Tanaka has been appointed executive vice president of Asia Pacific. Tanaka will drive sales and strategic business initiatives in the Asia Pacific region, working from Tokyo, Japan. Tanaka previously led the Medtronic Spinal, Biologics and Navigation Divisions, based in Minneapolis, Minn., to the No. 1 market share spot for the Asia Pacific region.

• Stephan Siemers has been appointed executive vice president of Europe. Siemers will spearhead NuVasive’s European sales and operations effort from Bremen, Germany. Stephan joins NuVasive following more than 15 years with Johnson & Johnson, where he most recently served as president of their international spine division.

“As we increase focus on becoming the No. 4 global spine company and growing to a $1 billion spine franchise, we need a strong management team with the ambition and experience to drive the growth of operations and exemplify NuVasive’s culture of absolute responsiveness and product innovation. I am excited to announce these additions to the depth and strategic composition of our senior management team. I look forward to working with this well-qualified leadership team to achieve our goals at Cheetah Speed,” said Alex Lukianov, chairman and CEO.