Lobo, Stryker’s New Neuro/Spine Boss

Kevin Lobo is now the first group president for Stryker Corp’s new Neurotechnology and Spine Group. The announcement was made on April 27.

Stryker acquired Boston Scientific’s neurovascular unit this past January and merged that acquisition with Stryker’s existing spine business to form the new group.

Lobo came to Stryker after nine years at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), where he held a number of senior-level jobs, most recently as worldwide president of Ethicon-Endo Surgery. That division is a $4 billion business with more than 5, 000 employees. The native Canadian was also president of J&J’s Medical Products business in Toronto, Canada as well as vice president, Finance for the McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals business.

Prior to joining J&J, Lobo held general management and financial and information technology positions for eight years at Rhodia, the chemical spin-off from Rhone-Poulenc. His earlier career included financial management jobs in Canada at Kraft, Unilever and KPMG.

Lobo is fluent in both English and French, and received his bachelor degree in commerce from McGill University and his MBA from the University of Toronto.

Stephen MacMillan, Stryker’s CPCEO (chairman, president and CEO), said the creation of the new group will enable the company to, “bring stronger alignment to these exciting market segments, and better serve the evolving needs of our surgeon customers.” He said Lobo’s record of delivering business results, strong customer focus and global leadership abilities are, “ideally suited for ensuring we capitalize on the many opportunities the neurotechnology and spine markets present our organization.”