Our Team

Mark Throdahl

Executive Chairman of the Board

As of June 2021, Mark will step aside as Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held for the past decade, and will become Executive Chairman of the Board. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Company through his successful experience as a medical technology executive working in both domestic and international settings. Prior to joining OrthoPediatrics, he served as Group President of Zimmer and Chief Executive of Consort Medical plc in London. During a 13-year career at Becton Dickinson & Co., he served as Senior Vice President, President of the Drug Delivery Sector, and President of Nippon Becton Dickinson in Tokyo. He began his career at Mallinckrodt Group. Mark is a graduate of Princeton University and has an MBA from Harvard University.

Fred Hite

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Fred Hite is currently OrthoPediatrics’ Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer, joining the Company in February 2015. Mr. Hite also serves as a Director on the Board for OrthoPediatrics. Prior to joining OrthoPediatrics, Mr. Hite spent over ten years as the CFO and Investor Relations Officer of Symmetry Medical, a NYSE listed publicly traded company. During his time at Symmetry Medical, the company completed an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a secondary offering and nine acquisitions. Prior to Symmetry Medical, Mr. Hite spent thirteen years with General Electric in a variety of financial positions and areas including commercial, manufacturing, sourcing, and services. Hite earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Indiana University. He has been actively involved with Junior Achievement for over 20 years and spent over 10 years as the local President of the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement.

Daniel Gerritzen

General Counsel & Secretary

Daniel (Dan) Gerritzen has served as OrthoPediatrics’ General Counsel since January 2009. He is primarily responsible for providing legal advice and counsel for the Company. Gerritzen is also responsible for engaging and managing the services of outside counsel retained on an as-needed basis, and serves as the Company’s Secretary. Gerritzen brings more than 20 years of experience across a broad spectrum of the legal profession, including civil litigation that focused largely on product liability and business disputes, and serving as the national outside counsel for state and local government contract procurement for a global technology company. Prior to joining OrthoPediatrics, Gerritzen was a partner with Dentons Bingham Greenebaum in Indianapolis, where he remains Of Counsel. Gerritzen holds a BS in Marketing and Juris Doctorate from Indiana University.

David Bailey

President & CEO

David (Dave) Bailey was appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as the Company’s President and CEO effective June 1, 2021. Dave also serves as a Director on the Board for OrthoPediatrics. He joined OrthoPediatrics in 2007 and has spent most of his career helping build the company from its early start-up days, to a publicly traded company. During his tenure at OP, David has held multiple leadership positions of increasing responsibility, including Domestic and International Sales, Operations and oversight of the Trauma & Deformity Correction and Scoliosis business units. As an early employee in the Company’s life cycle, Dave was instrumental in setting the strategic agenda for OP, raising start-up capital, championing new product development, and establishing a global distribution network. Prior to joining OP Dave worked as a Sales Representative and Independent Distributor for Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics. He attended Purdue University in Lafayette and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sales and Sales Management. He has continued his education at the Harvard Business School, where in 2020, he completed the Professional Leadership Development program.

Gregory Odle

Executive Vice President

Greg currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Commercialization, with oversight of the domestic selling organization, marketing and sales training & education. He joined OP in 2007 and has held various leadership positions throughout the company’s history. Greg brings 23 years of industry experience. Prior to joining OP, Greg held various sales roles for Smith & Nephew – ultimately becoming District Manager for Indiana and Kentucky. In that position, he achieved sales growth from $5M to $22M and led a team of 25 sales professionals with oversight of operations and logistics. Odle holds a BS in Marketing from the IU Kelley School of Business, where he was active in the IU Student Foundation and Sigma Nu Fraternity. He has continued his professional education through leadership programs with The Aji Network and Gap International, where he is actively engaged in the Executive Mastery program.

Joel Batts

Senior Vice President of Science & Technology

Joel Batts joined OrthoPediatrics in 2020 as Sr. VP Science & Technology, with responsibilities for identifying and securing technologies that advance care for kids. His industry experience includes Exactech, Wright Medical, Sanuwave, and Zimmer Biomet. Joel founded Telos Partners in 2016 to build a life science consulting firm that now serves a broad range of firms seeking commercialization of their technologies. He has published works in journals such as the American Journal of Sports Medicine, American Journal of Orthopaedics, Wounds and has led forums within the Johnson & Johnson innovation network (JLabs). Joel’s involvement in M&A activities spans foot and ankle, osteoporosis, wound care, and spine, overseeing key areas of investment and integration. Joel earned a BS in exercise science from the University of Florida and an MA in bioethics and health policy from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Joe Hauser

Senior Vice President & General Manager, Trauma and Deformity Correction

Joe Hauser, a Pittsburgh, PA native, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science (ATC) from John Carroll University. During his first few career opportunities, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA with Marketing focus) from Capital University. Joe has 13 years of medical device experience where he held various leadership roles with DJO Global, Biomet (Trauma) and Zimmer (Trauma). Currently, he leads the Trauma and Deformity Correction business at OrthoPediatrics.

Mallory Trusty

Vice President of OP Experience

Mallory serves as the company’s head of Human Resources and Marketing.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University, and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the Krannert School of Management.  Mallory earned a PhD in Global Leadership and Organizational Development from Indiana Tech in 2014.  She started her career in the orthopedic industry with Zimmer, where she supported the HR function and corporate recruiting.  She joined OrthoPediatrics in 2013 and currently resides in Indianapolis.

Terry Schlotterback

Director

Terry Schlotterback currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for OrthoPediatrics, bringing over 30 years of experience in the orthopedic industry. Prior to coming to OrthoPediatrics Terry worked for Zimmer Medical Holdings where he served in various executive leadership positions including President of Zimmer’s Trauma and Spinal Divisions. These divisions accounted for over $250 million in annual sales for the publicly traded orthopedic company. Prior to serving as Division President, he held senior executive positions in Sales, Marketing and Research and Development. Prior to Zimmer, Mr. Schlotterback served in senior management roles for Johnson & Johnson’s Depuy Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Division, Mitek Surgical Products, where he led Research, New Product Development and Business Development and the eventual acquisition of Mitek by Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, Mr. Schlotterback currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Indiana North Central Region of Elevate Ventures. He also contributes advisory services to the local Economic Development Corporation. He is President of the Warsaw Chapter of the StepStone Angels. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University.

Stephen (Steve) Burns

Director

Steve joins our Board with over 40 years of professional and legal experience in the Indianapolis area. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University and earned his JD from the Indiana University School of Law in 1968. Steve was a practicing attorney for over twenty years, and served as the President and CEO of Wheaton Van Lines from January 1988 to January 2009 and now serves as Chairman of the Board. He has been active in many professional, social and civic organizations throughout his career.

Bryan Hughes

Director

Bryan Hughes is the Director and Group Head – Medical Technology Investment Banking at P & M Corporate Finance, LLC. (PMCF). PMCF is an investment bank providing merger and acquisition services to companies throughout North America and Europe. Mr. Hughes has over 10 years of business and transaction advisory experience, specializing in assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private placements, financings, valuation and strategic consulting. His clients have ranged from global life sciences companies to small, privately held businesses. In addition to leading the firm’s Medical Technology team, he has also completed transactions in business services, consumer and industrial sectors. Mr. Hughes earned a B.B.A. with emphases in finance and accounting from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is a licensed securities representative, holding Series 7 and 63 registrations. He has written numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on healthcare investment banking and related financial topics.

Marie Infante

Director

Marie Infante is a healthcare lawyer with more than twenty-five years of experience advising clients in health policy, reimbursement, regulatory, governance and compliance matters. She has served in leadership and executive positions in for profit, and not for profit healthcare companies. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for Healthcare Law for Golden Living, she was responsible for compliance, ethics and regulatory issues for over 60,000 patients and more than 40,000 employees in post-acute and rehabilitation settings. Most importantly, her clinical experience includes fifteen years as a clinical specialist in orthopaedic nursing. Recognized by national and state organizations for her advocacy on behalf of patients and healthcare providers, she remains an active consultant and senior advisor in the healthcare industry. Ms. Infante is a graduate of the University of Maryland where she received her BSN and MS. She also has an MBA from Loyola University and earned her JD at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC.

David Pelizzon

Director

David Pelizzon is a retired US Army officer who served almost 30 years on active duty in airborne and special operations units. Since his retirement from active duty in 2003, he has worked as a manufacturing executive in the US and Asia. Prior to starting Squadron Capital Mr. Pelizzon was the Managing Director of Precision Edge Holdings, Colson Associates in Chicago. Currently he is the President of Squadron Capital, a firm that primarily manages direct investments in operating companies and that also invests in private equity funds and special situations in support of the long-term investment objectives of a Chicago based trust. Mr. Pelizzon is a graduate of the US Military Academy and has advanced degrees from Harvard University and the US Naval War College.

Harald Ruf

Director

Harald Ruf brings over 35 years of C-Suite level experience in a variety of industries including medical device OEM and medical device manufacturing. He currently serves as COO of Squadron Capital, LLC, the majority shareholder of OrthoPediatrics Corp. During his career, he has co-founded a number of successful companies in three different industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and is a licensed CPA in Utah and California. Harald has also served as an officer and board member in local and national associations and has been recognized nationally for his distinguished service.

Kevin Unger

Director

Kevin Unger has served as a director since 2011. Mr. Unger is currently the Global General Manager of Zimmer Biomet, a leading medtech company, a position he has held since 2020. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Incisive LLC, a company specializing in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in the Operating Room; and prior to that as CEO of Columbia Nutritional from 2016 to 2019. Prior to these positions, he served as the Global President of Orthofix International N.V., a spinal implant and biologics business, from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Unger held various roles for Stryker Corporation from 1994 to 2009, ultimately becoming a Vice President and General Manager in the MedSurg division.

Samuel Riccitelli

Director

Mr. Riccitelli currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pathnostics, a diagnostics company focused on improving antibiotic stewardship through better diagnosis and treatment selection for patients suffering from urinary tract infections. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for Precipio, Inc., [NASDAQ: PRPO] and has served as Chairman of the Board for PRPO since November 2017. Mr. Riccitelli also served on the board of directors of Exagen Diagnostics, Inc. from October 2011 to September 2014. Previously, Mr. Riccitelli served as President and CEO and a director on the board of directors of Signal Genetics, Inc., a publicly traded molecular diagnostic company focused on serving the needs of patients suffering from Multiple Myeloma. For 10 years, Mr. Riccitelli served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Genoptix, Inc., a publicly traded diagnostic services company focused on the needs of community hematologists and oncologists. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Riccitelli served in a number of R&D and general management leadership positions for Becton, Dickinson and Company, including most recently as a vice president and general manager and as a board member for BD Ventures, LLC., a venture capital fund. From 1989 to 1994, he served in a number of positions at Puritan-Bennett Corporation, including most recently as general manager. Mr. Riccitelli received a B.A. in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College and a M.S. Eng. degree from The University of Texas in Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering.

Mark Karshner

Senior Vice President of International Sales

Mark is responsible for sales and commercial operations for the International business at OrthoPediatrics. Mark joined OP in 2013 as Vice President of Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa while based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands before becoming Senior Vice President for International Sales in 2016. He has more than 20 years of Medical Device and Pharmaceutical experience including as Business Manager for Asia Pacific at Smith & Nephew based in Shanghai, China and domestic sales leadership roles with S&N, Bioventus and Sanofi-Aventis. Mark is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science from Scripps College of Communication.

Paul Mraz

Senior Vice President & GM – Scoliosis

Paul Mraz joined OrthoPediatrics in April 2020 with the acquisition of ApiFix Ltd. and currently leads the scoliosis franchise. He has been active in the medical device and life sciences industry for 30 years – in companies large and small and mostly as an entrepreneur – with roles in executive management, corporate strategy, product development and marketing, sales management and business development. With those experiences, he had the opportunity to play an integral part in developing several disruptive technologies in the orthopedics space including three Class III devices. Paul holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College and MS in Mechanical Engineering and Biomechanics from Case Western Reserve University as well as twelve US patents for various medical devices and technologies. He is a long-standing member of the oversight committee for the Translational Research Partnership between Case Western Reserve University and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation which fosters collaborations among clinicians and biomedical engineering faculty on translational research projects with the potential to impact patient care.

Jimmy McDonald

Director

Jimmy McDonald was appointed to the OrthoPediatrics Board in October 2022. He is Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for TE Connectivity, the global industrial technology leader for connectivity and sensor solutions with over $14B in annual revenue. He also serves as a member of the TE Operating Committee working with the CEO, business and functional leaders that oversees and guides the overall operation of the corporation.

Jimmy joined TE in April of 2013 and currently leads a global organization of 900 employees responsible for $6.2B in suppler spend. He leads the Purchasing, Logistics and Sustainability & Facilities functions in supporting 10 business units across the Transportation, Industrial and Communications industries. Jimmy is also a founding member and Co-Executive sponsor of the TE African Heritage Employee Resource Group. Jimmy is also a Board Member of the TE Foundation. Prior to joining TE, Jimmy worked for Honeywell Aerospace and spent 24 years with General Motors, where his last role was Jimmy was Executive Director of Purchasing for Global Powertrain and Raw Materials.

Jimmy graduated from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan in 1983, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also successfully completed the Executive Development Program at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in 1995. In 2018, Black Enterprise named Jimmy as one of the 300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.