• Accellent (Wilmington, Massachusetts) reported that Kenneth Freeman has been named executive chairman. The appointment of Freeman, a member of Accellent’s board of directors, was made in connection with the departure of Ron Sparks, president/CEO, who will retire from the company effective Dec. 31. Previously, Freeman was chairman/CEO from 1995 to 2004 of Quest Diagnostics. From 1972 to 1995, he served in many financial and general management roles at Corning Incorporated. A managing director of KKR, he will also continue as chairman/CEO of Masonite International. Accellent also reported that Stewart Fisher, executive VP of administration and CFO, will join with Freeman in the newly created Office of the Chairman. Before joining Accellent in 2001, Fisher served as CFO of GenTek. His previous experience also included work at General Motors. Accellent provides fully integrated, outsourced manufacturing and engineering services to the medical device industry in the cardiology, endoscopy and orthopaedic markets.