MedShape has attracted a strong management team with extensive experience and expertise in orthopedic medicine, biomaterials,
engineering, quality and regulatory affairs and early stage company management. Mouse over each icon to learn more.

Kurt Jacobus :: PhD, Chairman, President & CEO

Qualifications:

I earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1993. I received my MS and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 1995 and 1999, respectively.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

I have worked for McKinsey and Company doing mostly startup work, and I worked in biotechnology, pharma, chemicals and mining.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

5 years – all with MedShape

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

I enjoy being a part of an amazing team doing amazing things.

What are you passionate about in your work?

I'm passionate about improving human health.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

The New Orleans Saints

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I am a certified fire, arson and explosion investigator in the State of Illinois.

Ken Gall :: PhD, Chief Technology Officer

Qualifications:

I received my BS, MS, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

I have been a post doc scientist for Sandia National Laboratories, a professor at the University of Colorado and most recently, a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

10 years

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

I love that projects here move very fast and are always changing. I also enjoy working with everyone here because it seems they enjoy what they do.

What are you passionate about in your work?

Solving problems that no one else has solved in a way no one else has thought of.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

Professional sports are boring. Unless someone’s team loses, then just for the day I like the team that beat them so I can aggravate the person.

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I once passed out trying to squat a heavy barbell.

Christine Tang :: US Sales

Qualifications:

I received my BS in Marketing from Arizona State University in 2005.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

I have worked for small privately owned medical companies that provide a niche product or service (bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery).

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

I have been in the medical industry for over 7 years and entered the medical device industry with MedShape in July 2011.

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

I love that we are constantly changing, the incredible people, and creating "game changer" products. Anything is possible at MedShape.

What are you passionate about in your work?

Introducing MedShape to the orthopedic world, one doctor at a time...

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

3 words: Arizona State University.

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know?

I will accept almost any challenge. Recently, I consumed 32 pieces of sushi in less than 40 minutes (and was still hungry).

Kelly Howard :: US Sales

Qualifications:

I received my BS in Human Ecology from the Ohio State University in 2008.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

I was a distributor representative for OrthoPediatrics, Covidien and OrthoHelix.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

4 years

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

Oh the possibilities! This is my first experience working for such an innovative company. MedShape is pioneering a new path for the medical device industry and it's pretty exciting to be a part of it.

What are you passionate about in your work?

Selling a product I'm proud of and feeling confident that it will improve the health of the patient.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

O-H....I-O!!! I'm a Buckeye so anything Ohio State is on my radar.

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I'm currently potty training my two cats to use the toilet and flush like a human...I'll let you know how that goes.

Jimmy Blanchard :: US Sales

Qualifications:

I received my BS from Portland State University in 2000.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

My past includes Stryker and Covidien.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

10 years

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

I enjoy the constant change and our fearless leader’s “message of the week”.

What are you passionate about in your work?

I am passionate about building something from scratch and putting MedShape on the map.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

The New Orleans Saints. Who dat!

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I asked my wife to answer this for me and she said, “no, you’re as boring as you come across.” She had just given birth to our second child, so I am hoping she was just out of it.

Lindsey Wolf :: US Sales

Qualifications:

I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2005.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

I have worked for Arthrex, Smith and Nephew, and Cayenne.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

6 ½ years

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

MedShape works as a team to provide the best knowledge, experience, ideas, and sales tactics to the orthopedic industry. It is refreshing to work with a company who has so many "experts" in different facets of this industry – I never stop learning.

What are you passionate about in your work?

I love the relationships I have built; I am an asset to the distributors, reps and physicians in the OR, while also being in a management role.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

I love the University of Florida – GO GATORS!

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I was the top money raiser at the University of Florida for Dance Marathon benefiting the Children's Miracle Network. During high school, I played for a soccer team that represented the United States in the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

Josh Ray :: US Sales

Qualifications:

I received my BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University in 2002.

What interesting companies / industries have you worked in previously?

My professional career has been focused on innovative medical device companies including: Opus, TriMed, Cayenne, and a few other start-ups formed around Biologics.

How long have you worked in the medical device industry?

10 years.

What is your favorite aspect of working at MedShape?

The culture of the company is second to none. I have never been a part of an organization with so many talented people who truly value, respect, and support one another. It’s exciting to be a part of such an inspiring team.

What are you passionate about in your work?

I enjoy sharing our technology with surgeons and ultimately improving the surgical outcomes for patients.

What, if any, is your favorite sports team?

The Fightin’ Texas Aggies!

Are there any cool or fun facts about you that most people would not know (party trick, achievement, amazing experience)?

I was the fastest kid in 5th grade – even against JR Haulbert who was 2 years older and had a mustache.

Board of Directors