CHATSWORTH, Calif., March 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IRIS International, Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS), a leading manufacturer of automated in-vitro diagnostics systems and consumables for use in hospitals and commercial laboratories worldwide, announced today that current IRIS director Edward F. Voboril has been appointed new independent lead director, replacing Richard H. Williams who will leave the IRIS Board of Directors as of the Company's next annual meeting, as previously announced.
"Since joining the IRIS Board in July of 2008, Mr. Voboril has emerged as a valuable non-executive Board member. His extensive career within the medical device and healthcare industry, including some 20 years of senior executive and director experience for mid-sized public companies, having served on audit, nominating, compensation and corporate governance committees, makes him an ideal choice for independent lead director. We welcome him to his new role which is effective immediately, and look forward to his continuing contributions," stated Cesar Garcia, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRIS International.
"I am pleased to be named new independent lead director and look forward to working with the other IRIS Board members who, along with me, are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance," said Mr. Voboril.
Mr. Voboril is currently Chairman of the Board of Analogic Corporation (Nasdaq:ALOG), a leading $370 million designer and manufacturer of advanced health and security systems and subsystems sold primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). He has been a member of the Analogic board since 1990.
In 2008, Mr. Voboril, 66, retired as Chairman of Greatbatch, Inc. (NYSE:GB), a technology based manufacturer of medical device technology and specialty power sources, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 1990 to 2006. During his tenure at Greatbatch, he led the Company from revenues of about $30 million to $318 million in 2007 as Greatbatch evolved from a small specialty battery manufacturer to a world leader in the supply of precision components for implantable medical devices. Under his leadership, Greatbatch's growth was driven by both the development of its own proprietary technology and complementary acquisitions.
Mr. Voboril also served as Vice President and General Manager of the Biomedical Division of PPG Industries and held senior executive positions in the medical businesses of Honeywell, General Electric, Syntex and Litton Industries. In addition, from 1995 to 1998, he was President of the Health Care Industries Association (HCIA), a not-for-profit trade association and networking support organization in Western New York that provides professional services for healthcare industries and institutions.
Mr. Voboril is presently also an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering and Chairman of 'NUvention,' a new program focused on innovation in life sciences at Northwestern University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard University where he was a Baker Scholar.
About IRIS International
IRIS International is a leading global in vitro diagnostics company focused on products that analyze particles and living cell forms and structures, or morphology of a variety of body fluids. The Company's products leverage its strengths in flow imaging technology, particle recognition and automation to bring efficiency to hospital and commercial laboratories. The initial applications for its technology have been in the urinalysis market and the Company is the leading worldwide provider of urine microscopy systems, with an installed base of more than 2,150 systems in over 50 countries.