Pulse NeedleFree Systems is a medical technology company focused on development of needle-free pharmaceutical injection systems for the animal health industry. Pulse’s animal health injection systems are marketed to large livestock producers in the United States and select international markets. Pulse’s products have given more injections than all competitors combined.
MANAGEMENT
Edward S. Stevens, President. Mr. Stevens joined Pulse NeedleFree Systems in April 2006 and initially served as Vice President of the company’s human division. An attorney by training, Mr. Stevens practiced law with the firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon for several years and represented companies in the medical field in a wide range of business, regulatory and transactional matters. Mr. Stevens also served as in-house legal counsel to a $6 billion medical diagnostic services company with facilities across North America. In 2004, Mr. Stevens was appointed by the Governor of Missouri to the Missouri Life Sciences Research Board, which promotes and funds area life sciences research and technology commercialization projects. Mr. Stevens also serves on the boards of Probiotic Holdings, LLC and the Center for Practical Bioethics. Mr. Stevens is a Diplomate of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Mr. Stevens earned his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his law degree from the University of Missouri.
James R. Smith, Chairman. Mr. Smith served as Pulse NeedleFree Systems’ Chief Executive Officer from 2002 to 2007. He previously served as president of Sanofi Animal Health, Inc. from 1985 to 1995, and was employed with Elanco Products (a division of Ely Lilly Co.) from 1967 to 1985 in various capacities including director of international market planning and new product development (1980 to 1985). Subsequent to his service to Sanofi Animal Health, Inc., Mr. Smith engaged in a consulting business to human and animal health businesses, during which time he also served as president of Southwest Technologies, Inc. from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Smith served several years on the board of the Animal Health Institute, including a term as Chairman. Mr. Smith is a graduate of Purdue University (B.S. 1962).
Michael H. Dutcher, Vice President, Finance and Operations. Mr. Dutcher became Pulse NeedleFree Systems’ Vice President of Finance on August 15, 2002. Mr. Dutcher now directs all of Pulse’s financial, engineering and production activities. Mr. Dutcher previously served as chief financial officer of Innotek Engineered Products (1990 to 2002), chief financial officer of American Geotek Corporation (1987 to 1990), and chief financial officer and operations manager of S&J Supply Corporation (1985 to 1987).
Mikhail Zolotukhin, Head Engineer. Mr. Zolotukhin oversees Pulse’s product development and engineering activities, from initial product concepts through prototyping, testing and manufacturing planning. Mr. Zolotukhin is Pulse’s primary liaison with its research and development partners and specialized outside engineering service providers. He has worked extensively in the United States and internationally on all areas of needle-free technology design, development and training program implementation. Mr. Zolotukhin is a mechanical engineer, with special knowledge of computer aided design, pneumatic and hydraulic systems engineering, manufacturability analyses and vaccine delivery technology. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Russia’s Voronezh State Technical University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Kansas City.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James R. Smith, Chairman. Mr. Smith served as Pulse NeedleFree Systems’ Chief Executive Officer from 2002 to 2007. He previously served as president of Sanofi Animal Health, Inc. from 1985 to 1995, and was employed with Elanco Products (a division of Ely Lilly Co.) from 1967 to 1985 in various capacities including director of international market planning and new product development (1980 to 1985). Subsequent to his service to Sanofi Animal Health, Inc., Mr. Smith engaged in a consulting business to human and animal health businesses, during which time he also served as president of Southwest Technologies, Inc. from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Smith served several years on the board of the Animal Health Institute, including a term as Chairman. Mr. Smith is a graduate of Purdue University (B.S. 1962).
Marshall H. Dean, Jr., Vice-Chairman. Mr. Dean has served as a Pulse NeedleFree Systems director since 2001, and assumed the titles of Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer in May 2007. Mr. Dean is a principal of Dean Development Incorporated, a real estate development and management company based in Overland Park, Kansas, which he formed with his brother Vincent Dean in 1994. Prior to forming Dean Development Incorporated, Mr. Dean served between 1978 and 1991 as President and Treasurer of Southern Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. Mr. Dean attended the University of Arizona and Rockhurst College, from which he received an M.B.A. in 1982.
Paul P. Holewinski. Mr. Holewinski has served as a director of Pulse NeedleFree Systems since 2002. Mr. Holewinski is a director and executive vice president of Dickinson Financial Corporation, which is a privately-held and family owned multi-bank holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Midwest Venture Capital, L.L.C. is a subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corporation. Prior to joining Dickinson Financial Corporation, Mr. Holewinski practiced law with the Kansas City office of Bryan Cave LLP.
William P. Love. Mr. Love has served as a director of Pulse NeedleFree Systems since 2002. Mr. Love is General Partner of W. P. Love Partners, LLC. a private equity investment fund founded by Mr. Love and based in Lenexa, Kansas. In 1980, Mr. Love formed SKC Electric, Inc., a regional electrical contractor based in Kansas City. In 1997, Mr. Love merged SKC Electric, Inc. into Building One Services Corporation (NASDAQ: BOSS), which he served as CEO until 2000, when Building One Services Corporation was acquired by Encompass Services Corp (NYSE: ESR). Mr. Love served as President of the company’s division, Encompass Electrical Technologies, the largest electrical and communications contractor in the world. In 2001, Mr. Love left the employment of Encompass to form W. P. Love Partners, LLC. In 2002, Mr. Love and his partners purchased back the Midwestern division, which is currently one of the top 20 electrical contractors in the United states, with annual revenues in excess of $200 million. Mr. Love serves on the boards of directors of nine privately-held companies, none of which are competitive with the Company.
W. Cary Dikeman. Mr. Dikeman has served as a director of Pulse NeedleFree Systems since September 2004. Mr. Dikeman is president and CEO of Nexus Medical, LLC and Entracare, LLC, based in Lenexa, Kansas. Nexus Medical, LLC and Entracare, LLC manufacture and distribute medical products used in intravenous therapy and enteral feeding. The companies are subsidiaries of Medical Ventures, a business principally owned by Mr. Dikeman. Mr. Dikeman has over 20 years of experience in the development and management of start-up medical device companies. Mr. Dikeman has been involved in the formation and management of seven different businesses selling medical products ranging from the lease and service of IV pumps to electronic thermometers and probe covers. With the exception of Nexus Medical and Entracare LLC, all of his prior businesses have been sold in varied transactions with large industry and financial buyers. Mr. Dikeman is a graduate of Kansas State University (BS 1977).