A Medical Device Daily

Dennert Ware, CEO of Kinetic Concepts (KCI; San Antonio), has announced plans to retire but said he will stay with the company until a successor is appointed and through a successful transition.

KCI develops advanced wound care and therapeutic devices. Its flagship product is its V.A.C. technology for wound healing.

“My time here has been the most rewarding period of my professional career,” Ware said. “I have had the good fortune to work with a team of dedicated, experienced and deeply talented individuals, who join with me in bringing to market a truly important medical device that has positively influenced the lives of more than a million patients around the world.”

Since Ware joined KCI in 2000, it has grown into a billion-dollar company, experiencing a compounded annual revenue growth rate of 25%, surpassing $1 billion in total revenue in 2005.

Frost and Sullivan recently recognized Ware as the 2005 Medical Device CEO of the Year and he was selected as a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2006.

Ronald Dollens, chairman of KCI’s board, said that Ware’s “force of will and his complete dedication to improving patient outcomes through the use of innovative products has been the cornerstone of this outstanding company’s growth over the last six years. While we regret Denny’s decision to retire, we understand his desire to do so.”