Management Team

Ulthera's distinguished senior management team brings to the aesthetics space a wealth of experience ranging from successful start-ups to Fortune 100 and 500 medical device and pharmaceutical companies. 

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  Matthew E. Likens

  —President and Chief Executive Officer

  Mr. Likens joined the company in July of 2006. He began his professional career with Johnson & Johnson Corporation and then spent more than twenty years in domestic and international sales, marketing and general management roles at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, culminating in... MORE

  Mr. Likens joined the company in July of 2006. He began his professional career with Johnson & Johnson Corporation and then spent more than twenty years in domestic and international sales, marketing and general management roles at Baxter Healthcare Corporation, culminating in the positions of President of Baxter Biotech North America, then President of Baxter’s Renal Division in the U.S. In 2001, Mr. Likens joined GMP Companies, and was President of GMP Wireless Medicine, Inc. This start-up company developed and introduced the LifeSync® System, which is the first Bluetooth-enabled wireless patient monitoring device, effectively untethering hospitalized patients from bedside monitors. Mr. Likens' general management experience and intense focus on the customer has led each of his businesses to prominence in its respective market and will be a boon to establishing Ulthera as an industry force. He graduated cum laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in marketing.

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  Gregory Waller

  —Chief Financial Officer

  Mr. Waller joined Ulthera in October of 2011. He brings more than 35 years of global leadership for both privately held and publicly traded companies. Leveraging his expertise in financial management, accounting, treasury and mergers/acquisitions, Mr. Waller has garnered a solid track record... MORE

  Mr. Waller joined Ulthera in October of 2011. He brings more than 35 years of global leadership for both privately held and publicly traded companies. Leveraging his expertise in financial management, accounting, treasury and mergers/acquisitions, Mr. Waller has garnered a solid track record of strategic financial growth within organizations. Most recently, Mr. Waller served as CFO of Universal Building Products, a manufacturer of concrete construction accessories. Prior to that, he held several leadership positions at Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of consumable dental products. During his 25-year tenure with Sybron, he was instrumental in the IPO of the company and in more than 30 company acquisitions worldwide. He also played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of the company from 100 to more than 4,000 employees and from $10 million to more than $750 million in sales. Mr. Waller currently serves as a board member and audit committee chairman for Endologix, Inc. and as a board member for Sunshine Heart, Inc. He previously served as board member and audit committee chairman for Alsius, Inc., Biolase, Inc., Cardiogenesis Inc., Clarient, Inc. and SenoRx, Inc., all publicly traded companies. Mr. Waller has an MBA with a concentration in accounting from California State University, Fullerton. 

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  James G. Atkinson

  —VP, Global Sales

  Mr. Atkinson began as Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Ulthera in October, 2006. He brings to the company more than 25 years of experience in medical device sales, marketing and business development with both Fortune 100 and start-up device companies. Mr. Atkinson began... MORE

  Mr. Atkinson began as Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Ulthera in October, 2006. He brings to the company more than 25 years of experience in medical device sales, marketing and business development with both Fortune 100 and start-up device companies. Mr. Atkinson began his career with Ethicon Endosurgery, and most recently served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of the Cardiac Surgery Division at St. Jude Medical, where he was responsible for launching the Biocor stented tissue valve, the fastest growing heart valve brand in the industry. Prior to St. Jude Medical, Mr. Atkinson served as Vice President of Sales for Medtronic Vascular, a $200 million division of Medtronic, Inc. Mr. Atkinson's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found and serve as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Medical Simulation Corporation, the leading developer of state-of-the-art simulation technologies and services for the cardiology, cardiac surgery and nursing industry. His energy, determination and ingenuity in sales and marketing are a tremendous asset. Mr. Atkinson graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Siena College.

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  Janice Lipsky, PhD

  —VP, Global Marketing

  Ms. Lipsky has more than 18 years in pharmaceutical and medical device marketing, with a specialization in consumer and quality of life categories. Most recently, Ms. Lipsky ran a consulting practice, and prior to that she spent nearly four years at Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation heading... MORE

  Ms. Lipsky has more than 18 years in pharmaceutical and medical device marketing, with a specialization in consumer and quality of life categories. Most recently, Ms. Lipsky ran a consulting practice, and prior to that she spent nearly four years at Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation heading up the aesthetics marketing department. Her responsibilities included the Restylane, Dysport and LipoSonix businesses.

  Prior to joining Medicis, Ms. Lipsky spent twelve years at Pfizer, Inc. during which time she spent several years heading up the US Viagra Marketing Team, helping drive the brand to $1 billion. As a marketing team member on the Viagra launch team, she developed and executed novel consumer marketing programs, including the industry’s first TV reminder ads and NASCAR sponsorship. At Pfizer, she also served as Director, Team Leader of the Chantix (smoking cessation) launch team.

  Ms. Lipsky holds BA degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and MA and PhD degrees in Social/Organizational Psychology from Temple University.

   

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  William R. Fender

  —VP, Operations

  Mr. Fender joined the company in April, 2011. Prior to joining Ulthera he spent 19 years with Johnson & Johnson where he served in several leadership roles in both Operations and R&D. While at J&J he served as a Plant Manager for the Johnson & Johnson Medical plant in... MORE

  Mr. Fender joined the company in April, 2011. Prior to joining Ulthera he spent 19 years with Johnson & Johnson where he served in several leadership roles in both Operations and R&D. While at J&J he served as a Plant Manager for the Johnson & Johnson Medical plant in Arlington, Texas and provided leadership to the Infection Prevention Business Unit as the Director of Operations. In 2000, Mr. Fender transferred to another J&J division, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. and served in leadership roles in both R&D and Operations. During his time at Ethicon Endo-Surgery he was instrumental in the development and release of numerous new products that enabled the company to double its annual revenue. Mr. Fender brings expertise in the development of new products that enables rapid manufacturing scale-up and cost effective processes. Many of his new products have been recognized across the Medical Device industry for cost effective innovation. Mr. Fender graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Civil Engineering. 

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  Stacie Mallen

  —VP, Human Resources

  Mrs. Mallen joined Ulthera in 2011. She has more than 15 years of experience within a strategic HR function, leading teams and overseeing functional areas including Human Resources, Compensation, Benefits, Training, Recruiting, Employment Branding, Risk Management and Marketing... MORE

  Mrs. Mallen joined Ulthera in 2011. She has more than 15 years of experience within a strategic HR function, leading teams and overseeing functional areas including Human Resources, Compensation, Benefits, Training, Recruiting, Employment Branding, Risk Management and Marketing Communications. With a degree from Butler University in Chemistry and Pharmacology and a Senior Professional Human Resources certification, Mrs. Mallen offers a blend of clinical knowledge and business acumen to the Ulthera team. Stacie started her career leading the recruitment effort for the non-profit Sisters of Mercy hospital system based out of Indianapolis, IN.  In this role she developed a strong knowledge of recruitment strategy and planning, as well as how to brand an organization as a top employer in a specific market. She has since leveraged that experience while working with three early stage start-up organizations where she established all functions within Human Resources, enabling each organization to multiply in size exponentially while continuing a pattern of high-level engagement results and lowering overall spend.  In each role she has also built strong teams with a focus on business partnership and strong strategic value. In addition to small company experience, the role Mrs. Mallen held at the Fortune 50 rated Caremark expanded her reach into national-level employment branding and cross-functional marketing communications. While at Caremark she partnered with the business to form a strong brand targeted at professional job functions that resulted in drastic reductions in recruiting spend, as well as significant reductions in time-to-hire, all while meeting aggressive new market deadlines for two newly established Mail Order Pharmacies. Mrs. Mallen brings to Ulthera significant leadership experience with a passion for strong business relationships and a focus on employee engagement.

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  Suzon Lommel

  —VP, Regulatory and Quality Affairs

  Ms. Lommel brings more than 20 years of experience in developing quality systems in companies of all sizes and has extensive experience with the Food and Drug Administration as an author of many 510k, IDE and PMA submissions. In addition, she has expertise in gaining device approvals outside... MORE

  Ms. Lommel brings more than 20 years of experience in developing quality systems in companies of all sizes and has extensive experience with the Food and Drug Administration as an author of many 510k, IDE and PMA submissions. In addition, she has expertise in gaining device approvals outside of the United States.

  Prior to joining Ulthera, Ms. Lommel ran a consulting firm where she guided companies of all sizes on their quality and regulatory initiatives.  She also has served as the Vice President of Regulatory and Quality Affairs at Breathe Technologies and FoxHollow Technologies, respectively, where she oversaw global clearance initiatives for products addressing various disease modalities ranging from cardiology to Anesthesiology.

  Ms. Lommel holds a bachelor’s degree from Moorpark College.

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  Randall E. Miller, PhD

  —VP, Medical and Technical Initiatives

  Dr. Miller joined Ulthera in June of 2006. He has spent more than 25 years in the medical device and pharmaceutical/biotech industries, resulting in product approvals across a number of therapeutic areas generating over $1 billion in annual revenues. Dr. Miller has extensive... MORE

  Dr. Miller joined Ulthera in June of 2006. He has spent more than 25 years in the medical device and pharmaceutical/biotech industries, resulting in product approvals across a number of therapeutic areas generating over $1 billion in annual revenues. Dr. Miller has extensive experience in leading cross-functional teams on clinical development, quality assurance, regulatory submission preparation and global product launches for start-up, mid-sized and Fortune 500 firms. These include Abbott Laboratories, Dow Chemical, Dey Labs, DSI International and ImaRx Therapeutics. Dr. Miller's expertise in product development, clinical trial planning and management, and regulatory strategy is invaluable as Ulthera progresses from its emerging company status of that of a formidable leader in the aesthetics market. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Ph.D. in pharmacology.

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  Lisa Misell, PhD

  —VP, Clinical and Medical Affairs

  Dr. Misell joined Ulthera in March of 2011. She has more than 14 years of clinical research experience spanning several therapeutic areas including oncology, infertility, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurology and aesthetic medicine. In addition to fulfilling the role of principal... MORE

  Dr. Misell joined Ulthera in March of 2011. She has more than 14 years of clinical research experience spanning several therapeutic areas including oncology, infertility, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurology and aesthetic medicine. In addition to fulfilling the role of principal investigator, Dr. Misell has directed studies across all phases of development from pilot to post-approval studies. Prior to joining Ulthera, Dr. Misell was the Senior Director of Clinical Operations and Medical Affairs at Suneva Medical where she built their medical affairs department from the ground up and managed a portfolio of pilot studies, a large (n=1008) post-approval study, and a phase 3 new indication study. Prior to Suneva, Dr. Misell fulfilled the role of Therapeutic Area Manager, Botox Neurology, at Allergan. There she was responsible for all phase 4 studies in the areas of cervical dystonia, post-stroke spasticity, pain, and other neurological disorders. She was also responsible for three of the company's global comparator studies. Dr. Misell also gained industry experience as a consultant for Campbell Alliance, a boutique consulting firm focused on pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and was the Vice President of Business Development and Director of Clinical Oncology Research for KineMed, a platform technology company focused on drug repurposing. Dr. Misell earned her doctoral degree in Metabolic Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, her masters of science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University, and her bachelors of science in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego.

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  Michael T. Peterson

  —VP, Research and Development

  Mr. Peterson joined Ulthera in May of 2010. He has more than 25 years of experience in product development and leading teams through the commercialization process, with responsibility for a variety of cross-functional business aspects, including R&D, Operations, Quality,... MORE

  Mr. Peterson joined Ulthera in May of 2010. He has more than 25 years of experience in product development and leading teams through the commercialization process, with responsibility for a variety of cross-functional business aspects, including R&D, Operations, Quality, Pre-Clinical Research, and Intellectual Property. Mr. Peterson began his career at Rosemount Aerospace/Goodrich Aerospace as a Design Engineer and built his technical and project management foundation working on sensors and transducers for the F18, B2 and F22 programs. Before leaving as Director of Product Development, he was awarded B.F. Goodrich's Faber award for Project Management excellence and was voted into their Inventors Hall of Fame. His background also includes establishing a Transducer Business Unit at Fluoroware (later Entegris) and serving as Vice President of R&D as Select Comfort went through its IPO. Prior to joining Ulthera, Mr. Peterson served as Vice President of R&D at Celleration, coming on board to assist in the 510K DeNovo process and to develop state-of-the-art ultrasound test methods for ensuring efficacy of its non-contact wound healing medical device. Mr. Peterson brings to Ulthera a passion for team-building and product excellence, both in terms of product integrity and how they translate to customer satisfaction. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with Honors with a B.S. in Aerospace and Mechanics.

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  Ken Lin, MD

  —VP, Business Development

  Dr. Lin joined Ulthera in July of 2012. He brings more than a dozen years of experience as an industry analyst and investor in the medical device industry, having committed over $200 million of capital toward development and growth stage companies.  Immediately prior to joining... MORE

  Dr. Lin joined Ulthera in July of 2012. He brings more than a dozen years of experience as an industry analyst and investor in the medical device industry, having committed over $200 million of capital toward development and growth stage companies. 

  Immediately prior to joining Ulthera, Dr. Lin was a Vice President at TPG Biotech, a global healthcare investment fund, where he helped lead the creation and development of the Medtech investing vertical. While at TPG, he drove the firm’s investments in Vibrynt, Tandem Diabetes, Conventus Orthopaedics, PatientSafe Solutions, and Karos Pharmaceuticals, and remains on the Boards of Directors of Vibrynt and Conventus Orthopaedics.

  Prior to that, Dr. Lin was part of the healthcare team at JP Morgan Partners/Panorama Capital.  At JP Morgan Partners, he helped to establish the medical device practice and played an integral role with investments in Corus Pharmaceuticals (including its sale to Gilead Sciences for $365 million), FlowCardia (eventually sold to CR Bard), and PowerVision, among others. 

  Dr. Lin started his investment career in the Global Investment Research division of Goldman Sachs, covering the industry sector comprised of medical technology and diversified pharmaceuticals.

  Dr. Lin received his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and won an award for research in endocrinology. He is also currently an Adjunct Professor, sitting on the School of Medicine Dean’s Committee to Advance Human Health.  He completed an internship in primary care at Stanford University, where he had previously obtained his B.S. in Biological Sciences.

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