Scottsdale, Ariz., USA - June 18, 2010, Scottsdale, Ariz., USA - Medicis, a pharmaceutical company, announced several organizational changes and promotions that will be effective July 1.
Article continues below
Mark Prygocki will assume the new role of President. Mr. Prygocki's responsibilities will include, among other things, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Public Relations, Manufacturing and Distribution and shared responsibility with the Chief Executive Officer for the commercial operations team led by Vince Ippolito, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and for the newly expanded finance and business information organization to be led by Richard Peterson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Mr. Prygocki has served as Chief Operating Officer since April 2008, and as Executive Vice President since January 2001. Mr. Prygocki joined Medicis in 1991 and was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary in May 1995. From October 1991 to May 1995, he served as Controller. From July 1990 through October 1991, he was employed by Citigroup, an investment banking firm, in the regulatory reporting division.
Prior to that, Mr. Prygocki spent several years in the audit department of Ernst & Young, LLP. Mr. Prygocki is a member of the Financial Executive Institute, and is certified by the Arizona State Board of Accountancy and the New York Society of CPAs.
Jason Hanson will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Hanson will maintain responsibility for the Legal department and assume responsibility for the Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Medical Affairs departments, as well as the Medicis Bothell operations engaged in engineering and manufacturing activities for the LipoSonix device.
Mr. Hanson has served as Executive Vice-President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary since July, 2006. From April 2004 to July 2006, Mr. Hanson served as General Counsel for GE Healthcare Technologies, a global business specializing in medical imaging, information technology and other durable medical equipment and services, where he was responsible for the global legal affairs of GE Healthcare Technologies and a member of the company’s senior management team. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Hanson served as General Counsel for the Americas, GE Medical Systems. Mr. Hanson joined GE in 1999 serving as Senior Counsel for Litigation and Compliance for GE Medical Systems.
Mr. Hanson began his legal career with Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. concentrating his practice in litigation, intellectual property and commercial disputes. From 1997 to 1999, he served with the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in Washington D.C. as a prosecutor and trial attorney in what is now known as the National Criminal Enforcement Section. Mr. Hanson earned his law degree at Duke University, where he was an editor of the law review, and earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Cornell University.
Richard Peterson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, in addition to his Finance and Accounting responsibilities, will assume leadership of the Business Development and Information Technology departments.
Seth Rodner, currently Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, will be promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective upon the appointment of a new Chief Compliance Officer, which is expected in the near future. Mr. Hanson will relinquish the title of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary upon Mr. Rodner's appointment.
Ira Lawrence, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Regulatory Affairs, will report to Mr. Hanson and will assume responsibility for the Medical Affairs department in addition to the Research & Development, Clinical and Regulatory departments.
Mitchell Wortzman, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, will head an enhanced critical area of our business, Professional Relations, designed to strengthen the Company's relationships and scientific engagement with physicians and other healthcare providers.
Vincent Ippolito will continue in his present role and reporting relationships, leading the Company's commercial operations, including Sales, Marketing and Business Planning functions, and LipoSonix commercial activities worldwide. ■