Company
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William F. AustinFounder and CEOIn 1967, William F. Austin, established a hearing instrument repair service in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Four years later, he acquired a small earmold company called Starkey Laboratories, and merged his companies under the Starkey name.
Austin's experience in hearing aid distribution and repair led him to create the concept of comprehensive hearing solutions. Austin's focus on customer satisfaction and quality of life revolutionized the industry by setting a new standard for innovation and service. Since 1973, his Starkey Hearing Foundation has promoted hearing care awareness through support of research, education and charitable programs.
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Jerry RuzickaPresidentWith more than 30 years of industry experience to his name, Jerry Ruzicka, is the driving force behind Starkey Hearing Technologies manufacturing systems, quality assurance systems, education programs, product engineering and facility expansion.
Ruzicka began his career as a Starkey Hearing Technologies technician. Today, his world-class engineering group specializes in the research and development of mixed signal hearing instrument integrated circuits. A teacher, lecturer and innovator, Ruzicka has developed coursework in Quality Systems and Product and Project Planning. He holds an Associate degree in computer technology and a Master's degree in business management.
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Rob DuchscherSenior Vice President of Information TechnologyWith more than 20 years of experience in software and technology, Rob Duchscher was instrumental in building Starkey's leading-edge software engineering organization to deliver innovative product and customer software worldwide. He currently leads Starkey Hearing Technologies global Information Technology organization and delivers business applications and technology solutions in all areas of the business.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of North Dakota and has completed course work in the master's program in computer and information technology at the University of Minnesota.
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Brent Edwards, Ph.D.Vice President of ResearchJoining the company in 2004, Dr. Edwards is responsible for developing and executing the organization's corporate research strategy worldwide. Edwards founded and developed the Starkey Hearing Research Center where he leads a team of inter-disciplinary scientists and engineers conducting long-term research on hearing impairment and hearing aid technology.
Edwards received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, his Master of Science in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Michigan, his Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science also from the University of Michigan, and his postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
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Keith GuggenbergerSenior Vice President of OperationsKeith Guggenberger has held both technical and management positions during his career. Guggenberger leveraged his business and quality background into information technology and held the position of Vice President of Information Technology for three years before expanding to lead Operations.
Today, he helps guide Starkey Hearing Technologies Manufacturing, Materials, Quality, and Process initiatives. Guggenberger has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in industrial technology.
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Kenny LandherrVice President of Administration and CreditSince beginning his journey with Starkey Hearing Technologies in 1997, Kenny Landherr has held a number of positions in the finance group. Currently, Landherr is in charge of ensuring that Starkey Hearing Technologies operational processes and policies align with the companys business needs.
Landherr holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
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Phil LyonsVice President of International OperationsJoining Starkey Hearing Technologies in 1990, Lyons is responsible for sales, marketing, product development for international markets, starting new facilities in new markets, and resolving issues regarding IT, production, sales, marketing, logistics, and finance via working with key members of each area.
Lyons received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota.
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Larry MillerVice President of Human ResourcesLarry Miller began with Starkey Hearing Technologies in 1987 as an HR Assistant. Now as Vice President of Human Resources, his responsibilities include recruiting, benefits, payroll, commercial insurance, health and safety, training, and employee relations. Prior to joining Starkey Hearing Technologies, Miller was the Associate Director of the Better Hearing Institute in 1979-1980 and the Manager of Information Services at the AG Bell Association in 1975-1979.
Miller received his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities/Journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master of Science in Information Sciences from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.
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Susan MussellGeneral Counsel, Corporate SecretaryJoining Starkey Hearing Technologies in 2004, Susan Mussell established the first in-house legal department at the company. The department now includes two additional attorneys, a paralegal, patent manager and legal administrative assistant. All members of the legal department are dedicated to providing Starkey Hearing Technologies with first-rate, professional legal representation.
After graduating from law school at the University of Kansas in 1982, Mussell was a litigator in private practice for 17 years, initially with the Murnane, Conlin, et. al. law firm in St. Paul and later with Flynn & Gaskins in Minneapolis. In 1999, she joined the H.B. Fuller Company law department as Litigation Counsel. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kansas State University in 1979.
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Scott NelsonChief Financial OfficerScott Nelson has held a variety of management positions during his career at Starkey Hearing Technologies, including Director of Cost Management and Worldwide Controller. Nelson used his international experience to develop his skills and take over all aspects of the Finance and Accounting functions of Starkey's global operations. Today, Nelson helps guide Starkey Hearing Technologies expansion into new markets as an officer of the company.
Nelson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in finance from the University of St. Thomas.
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Brandon SawalichSenior Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Customer RelationsBrandon L. Sawalich has been with Starkey Hearing Technologies since 1994, when he started his career as an Inside Sales Executive. Since, he has built expertise in nearly all aspects of sales and marketing in the hearing industry, and today leads Starkey Hearing Technologies Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations teams. He is responsible for helping move the company forward through strategic development, as well as planning and executing key growth initiatives. Additionally, he is charged with building and strengthening relationships with customers. In his leadership roles, Sawalich has helped the company achieve overall growth and has built excellent teams to tackle the challenges customers and patients face every day.
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Timothy D. Trine, Ph.D.Chief Technical OfficerTim Trine is responsible for the leadership of all research and development activity at Starkey Hearing Technologies. He leads a staff of approximately 300 scientists, audiologists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel who research, design and develop new technologies and products to improve hearing and communication. Trines focus is on the organizational development for an always-growing R&D community at Starkey Hearing Technologies as well as steering the short- and long-term product development roadmaps.
Trine received his Bachelors degree in communicative disorders from California State University, Northridge, his Masters degree in audiology from Vanderbilt University and his Ph.D. in hearing science from the University of Minnesota.