Benjamin Sullivan is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of TearLab Corp. He graduated from Boston University in 1997 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (summa cum laude). He went on to research the effects of dry eye disease on molecular profiles of the tear film while at the Schepens Eye Research Institute affiliate of Harvard Medical School, prior to obtaining his Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. Benjamin’s research on nanotechnology, microfluidics, molecular biology and clinical trial design has been widely cited in the peer-reviewed literature. His work has led to dozens of patents and helped create companies in the fields of ophthalmology, biotechnology and early cancer detection. His current work is focused on applied electromechanical phenomena at the nanoscale with an emphasis on improving specificity of diagnostic assays. Benjamin is also a co-founder and Director Lµbris LLC.
Michael Berg has over 25 years experience introducing new technology into the professional healthcare marketplace, through his own companies and as consultant to the industry. He is experienced in product development and acquisition, finance, manufacturing, marketing and strategic planning, domestic and international distribution, reimbursement and regulatory affairs. Michael, having studied and lived in Japan is an expert in Japanese regulatory and distribution strategies. As 50% joint-venture owner and President of HemoCue, Inc, Michael launched a blood hemoglobin point?of?care analyzer in the U.S. through a unique distribution model he created, the Independent Direct Distribution Organization. This model incorporated an educational approach to convert the healthcare profession from the prevailing spun microhematocrit technology, to a more expensive but accurate and safer hemoglobin test for the diagnosis of classic anemia. This distribution system provided all the advantages of a direct sales force at a fraction of the cost. Under this model, 13,000 HemoCue analyzers were sold into the market in the first 4 years of operation, with continued placement to date of 30,000+ instruments resulting in a business exceeding $50 million in annual revenue. Michael divested all interest in HemoCue, Inc. upon Mallinckrodt's acquisition of the parent company, HemoCue AB, in January 1991 for $100 million.
As a consultant to the industry, Michael has repeatedly formulated and implemented successful strategies to obtain CLIA Waiver categorization for point-of-care technology, solicited and obtained CPT coding through the American Medical Association process, and facilitated strong reimbursement for his clients through the Medicare (CMS) system. Focused on market development and physician education, Michael is experienced in the design and coordination of clinical studies, positioning products to meet clinical guidelines, evidence-based medicine and pay-for-performance criteria, and co-promotion with the pharmaceutical industry to link diagnosis and therapy. Michael received his BA from the University of Notre Dame and currently resides in Orange County California.
Sam Fakhoury joined TearLab Corporation in December 2014 as the Director of Quality and Compliance, Became the Vice President of Quality, Compliance and Supply Chain in August 2016 and became the Chief Operating Officer in September 2020.
Mr. Fakhoury has over than 19 years of experience in Operations in the medical device industry, most recently with Johnson and Johnson.
Mr. Fakhoury Holds a Degree in Electronic Engineering from the Southern California Institute of Technology and a Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Steve Zmina currently serves as Vice President of Manufacturing & Engineering. Steve has more than 28 years of product development experience in a number of high technology industries including medical, telecommunications, semiconductor, and industrial and high volume consumer products. His wide range of skills include product development, product marketing, manufacturing, and operations. Prior to TearLab Corporation, Steve was the Vice President of Product Development at Thermoscan, in San Diego, California, developing professional and consumer infrared ear thermometers. He has also been responsible for the development of a variety of high volume consumer products for Tandy Electronics. While at Tandy, his product development team developed over 40 new, high volume consumer products. He introduced digital signal processing into very low cost consumer products to significantly improve product performance and value to the customer. Steve has also held a number of other executive level positions in the semiconductor and power supply industries, developing products for the consumer and industrial markets. Steve has BSEE and MSEE degrees from Purdue University in semiconductor electronics.
Adam Szaronos, Chief executive officer of TearLab Corporation, joined the executive leadership team in June 2020 to oversee the company’s global expansion efforts. Adam brings 15 years of industry experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and medical technology sectors, where he and his teams have worked on 30+ new technology launches across areas of cataract, refractive, and vitreoretinal surgery, diagnostics, and digital health. Adam is most passionate about building and leading high impact teams focused on “white-space” new ventures and opportunities. Prior to TearLab, Adam most recently served as the Head of Dry Eye Devices at Alcon, where he was responsible for launching and leading this new business unit for the organization. Over his 13 years at Alcon, he has held leadership roles in various sales, marketing, and strategy functions across their surgical and vision care businesses. Adam earned his M.B.A from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, with a focus on Innovation Leadership, and his B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, where he completed a double major in Marketing and Operations.
John Steenbakkers, currently serving as TearLab’s Head of US Sales, joined TearLab in October of 2020 to oversee TearLab’s partnership with key strategic partners in the ophthalmic community. John brings with him over 20 years of ophthalmic industry experience in the pharmaceutical, surgical and medical device spaces where he has sharpened his understanding and skillsets to better understand what his medical professional customers are in need of. John is dedicated and passionate about serving his customers while leading the sales team within TearLab. His attention to his customer needs and selfless leadership style is something he works on bringing to the TearLab sales team. Prior to TearLab, John spent 22 years with Alcon, most recently serving as National Accounts Director where he oversaw and focused on building relationships and business between Alcon and their private equity owned customer base. During his 22 years at Alcon John held both sales and leadership roles within their Pharmaceutical and Cataract Surgical departments. John earned his B.A. in Finance at the University of Utah from the David Eccles School of Business.
John Lund, Chief Financial Officer joined TearLab in July 2022. John brings over 25 years of financial executive experience encompassing healthcare, private equity backed, high-growth companies including: analyzing the financial performance of business operations, leading and integrating acquisitions and establishing the financial infrastructure needed to support operations. John also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, having successfully led nearly 20 in prior roles.
Recently, John was CFO at Behavioral Innovations--a private equity backed company that grew from 25 locations to over 75 during his tenure. Prior to that, John was the CFO at Behavioral Health Group, another private equity backed company that provides opioid addiction treatment in multiple states. John also served as CFO at Reliant Rehabilitation--a private equity backed company that provides physical therapy to over 700 nursing homes across 30 states. John began his career at KPMG where he served as audit manager.
John is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. John also holds an accounting degree from the University of North Texas.
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