Emergo Group Consulting Team
Emergo Group Inc helps medical device companies find and qualify distributors in the United States, Europe (all), Japan, China, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Russia and several other markets worldwide. Our team consists of highly trained professionals that specialize in the medical device and IVD industry.
The Emergo Group medical distribution consulting team:
- Christie, David - SeniorDistribution Consultant
- Crowley, Tim - Senior Distribution Consultant
- Jacobs, Kelly - Junior Project Manager
- Kasteel, Edgar - Manager Distribution Division
- van der Woude, Jetty - Senior Distribution Consultant
- van der Woude, Michael - Chief Operating Officer
Christie, David - Senior Distribution Consultant
David Christie has 30 years of finance, sales, marketing, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, intellectual property protection, operations and general management experience in the medical device and high technology industries. David's broad experience in commercializing medical devices has taken him from the front-lines, detailing heart valves to cardiovascular surgeons in the operating room, to various executive roles negotiating licensing agreements, acquisitions and distribution partnerships.
David is a Director of InnerVision Medical Technologies and past President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Pyng Medical. Under his leadership, Pyng more than doubled its revenues in two years, profits increased 12-fold, the product portfolio increased four-fold and assets more than doubled. Prior to this David held numerous leadership roles at VSM MedTech, where he was responsible for the design and build-out of a world class lean manufacturing facility and facilitated growth from no revenue and 12 employees to $20 million in revenue and almost 200 employees. David was also Vice President for Medigas, Canada's leading respiratory care company and held senior management positions with American Hospital Supply, and Baxter Corporation, the world's largest supplier of medical-surgical supplies to hospitals. David has his Masters in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Montana.
Back to topCrowley, Tim - Senior Distribution Consultant
Tim is a seasoned marketing/sales executive with almost 30 years experience developing new distribution for medical and biotech companies in the US and the EU. He has extensive contacts in all medical specialties and markets allowing for rapid introduction of new products in any market where a company may be having problems establishing sales.
Having established international distribution for numerous companies with full P&L responsibility for all aspects of international operations Tim is able to quickly assess the best approach for distribution of new products as well as regulatory requirements for medical device companies quickly and efficiently.
EXPERIENCE:
Managing Director-Europe, TYRELL INC., (August 2006-August 2008)
- Obtained regulatory approval for range of heat based therapeutic devices to treat acne, lip herpes and four other common skin disorders
- Established distribution in all major European markets and direct sales in the UK
- Established logistics and internet hub in the UK
- Developed distribution in pharmacies and mass market channels such as Boots in the UK and Corte Ingles in Spain
- Achieved sales of $1.2 mm in first year of sales in Europe
Director of International Sales, VISION SCIENCES, INC., (August 2005-August 2006)
- Introduced Urological product line establishing new distributor network in Europe and Latin America
- Initiated clinical trials in key markets driving development of new procedures and increasing sales over 300%
- Initiated development of two new products in field of Otolaryngology
- Increased sales growth in Europe enabling the company to sell its ORL business
Director of Sales and Marketing, TEMPSHIELD, Trenton, ME (2002-2004)
- Increased sales two consecutive years by 10% without any increased marketing spend in an industry that contracted by 10% during the same period
- Ended exclusive distribution agreements in Europe while expanding European coverage through specialty distributors. Increased European sales by 15% annually
- Developed two proprietary products with Naval Air and with NASA
Owner/President, DOVER FOXCROFT, Boston, MA (1996-2002)
- International Marketing/Product Development Service for medical device start-ups and early stage medical companies
- Focus was on international development and distribution of surgical products
- Specialties included orthopedic, neuro-surgical, ophthalmic and general surgical medical device companies
Illustrative projects
- Co-founded Cortek, Inc. a medical device company with a unique, patented spinal implant. Developed business plan, obtained domestic and international clinical endorsements from leading surgeons and raised three million dollars in venture capital. Five years later the company is profitable with $15 million in sales and a 30% annual growth rate.
- Established distribution and training centers in Europe for a minimally invasive spine company meeting key criterion of investors allowing the company to close on mezzanine financing.
- Performed a European-wide analysis of Fibrin Glue for CR Bard. Study precluded the purchase of Tissucol by Bard.
- Designed and managed clinical trials for bio-feedback software product designed to monitor memory loss for inventor. Trial results enabled inventor to sell the software to what is now Brain.com.
- Worked with surgeons and biomechanical engineers to develop drug delivery balloon catheter.
- Performed market study for anti-microbial PICC catheter in Italy France, Germany, Spain and the UK.
Restauranteur/Owner, PLAZA CAFÉ, Otavalo, Ecuador (1994-1996)
- Designed, built and managed a 50 seat restaurant for European tourists visiting an Indian market town
- Staffed with 15 local employees the restaurant was a huge success and provided a wonderful respite from more conventional work
- Sold the restaurant to the staff after two years. It continued to run profitably for five more years.
Director of International Sales and Marketing, MATHSOFT, Cambridge, MA (1991-1994)
- Increased international sales from $1 million to $4 million
- Established and managed international distribution network for rapid growth technical software company in 20 countries
- Built direct sales throughout Europe from central hub in Edinburgh, Scotland using telemarketing, direct mail and advertising in over sixty magazines and in five languages from one location. Created new marketing paradigm for the industry.
- Sold licensing agreements for $200K just prior to IPO -- dramatically increasing the success of public offering
Director of International Sales and Marketing, ACUFEX MICROSURGICAL, Norwood, MA (1980-1989)
- Increased international sales from $0 to $15 million
- Established European and Far Eastern sales/marketing offices and service facilities. Set up distribution networks for company’s major products, including computer controlled diagnostic equipment and arthroscopy tools.
- Established key customers in each market segment and initiated sales training programs utilizing key account base. Targeted doctors and surgeons, as well as major government purchasing entities.
- Identified and researched new products that complemented Acufex’s product mix and marketing strategy. Conducted initial negotiations with inventors and manufacturers for manufacturing and/or distribution rights to new products.
EDUCATION:
- M.B.A. in Management & Marketing from Columbia Business School, New York, NY
- B.A. and French Literature from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Urspringscule, Schelklingen, Germany “Praktikum"
- Philips Exter Academy, Exeter, NH
- Insitut Franco-Americain, Rennes, France
LANGUAGES:
Fluent in:
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
Jacobs, Kelly - Junior Project Manager
Kasteel, Edgar - Manager Distribution Division
Edgar Kasteel is an international business development expert with many years of experience advising American and Asian businesses in establishing or expanding business in Europe.
EXPERIENCE:
Vice President, Holland International Distribution Council (2000-2005)
HIDC supports North American and Asian companies in establishing pan European distribution through partnerships. Consultancy and matchmaking are the key activities. Before being promoted to Vice President in 2002, Edgar served as the General Manager of Logistics and was responsible for the North American market. In this capacity Edgar traveled frequently to the US and Canada to speak at seminars, participate in shows and meet with companies to discuss opportunities in Europe. Edgar was responsible for all North America and Asian activities.
Senior Consultant, Twynstra Gudde Management Consultants (1994-2000)
Twynstra Gudde Management Consultants is one of the most respected management consulting firms in The Netherlands. During his tenure there, Edgar developed and implemented business concepts and strategies in the field of distribution, among others:
- Developing a methodology for the identification of business opportunities to strengthen the economic position of the Netherlands in the field of international logistic operations (including pilot studies on the situation in South East Asia and Germany
- Analysing, developing and implementing distribution channels throughout Europe for a telecommunication services company
- Supporting three technical wholesale companies with the integration of their three distribution networks into one
Consultant, NEHEM Consulting Group (1990-1993)
NEHEM is a small, independent consulting firm in the Netherlands. During his career with NEHEM Edgar managed projects regarding distribution including:
- Strategic market research for a group of international logistic service providers to identify possibilities to increase the number of value added services offered
- Developing a business plan for a distribution centre in Hungary
Consultant, Royal Netherlands Air Force (1988-1990)
During his military service Second Lieutenant Kasteel was stationed at the RNLAF Headquarters in The Hague. He conducted performance audits on several operational units and HR and administrative departments and was involved in several projects in the field of quality control.
EDUCATION:
- Bachelors Degree in Business Administration of the Hogeschool Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Additional courses on Financial Management, Consulting skills, Physical Distribution Management, Strategic Information Planning and Project Management
LANGUAGES:
- English
- Dutch
- German
HOME BASE:
- Edgar resides with his family in The Hague, The Netherlands
van der Woude, Jetty - Senior Distribution Consultant
Before joining Emergo Group as a Project Manager, Jetty established and helped growing the North American office of a Dutch medical supply company, thus experiencing firsthand the challenges and possibilities for a business when expanding into new (overseas) markets. As a Project Manager with Emergo Group, Jetty provides customized market research reports and links international clients with potential distribution partners.
Education:
- Masters Degree in Health Care Management, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
- Marketing Degree at NIMA, the Dutch Marketing Institute, the Netherlands
LANGUAGES:
- English
- Dutch
van der Woude, Michael - Chief Operating Officer
Michael van der Woude is an international business development expert and has many years of experience in international markets and advising businesses in establishing or expanding their business in the USA and Europe.
EXPERIENCE:
USA South-Central Area Director, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (1999-2005
As area director for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, based in Austin, Texas, Michael helped foster U.S. business growth and development by offering support and expertise to companies expanding into the European market. During this period, he identified expansion opportunities in Europe and provided counsel on the benefits, values and challenges of expanding business overseas. Michael has specific expertise working with small and medium size US companies on how to organize their European business, including finding commercial partners, setting up logistics, solving VAT/customs issues, etc.
President, Vanderwood Enterprises (1995-1999
Michael's primary challenges included establishing distribution channels, and organizing (contract) manufacturing and (outsourced) warehousing of a self invented consumer product designed for the North American and European markets. Activities included exhibiting at trade shows, interviewing/appointing distributors and manufacturer's rep firms, working with buyers of large retailers and home shopping TV networks, new product development, etc.
Director of Business Development, AEGON Group (1989-1995)
Michael was recruited into the management development program of the AEGON Group, a leading multinational financial services company. He began his tenure in the corporate development department at AEGON's worldwide headquarters in The Hague, The Netherlands, where he was involved in European business development and acquisition projects. Later he joined the Sales & Marketing division of one of AEGON's US subsidiaries in Clearwater, Florida, where he was responsible for building an entirely new US sales rep organization. Activities included speaking at sales meetings throughout the US and organizing sales support functions at the home office.
EDUCATION:
- Masters Degree in Business from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
- Young Management Program at the business school INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
LANGUAGES:
- English
- Dutch
HOME BASE:
- Michael lives with his family in Austin, Texas.