John Brown Receives First-Ever AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award

Stryker Corporation Chairman Emeritus John Brown has received the first-ever AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was presented during AdvaMed’s annual MedTech Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 25, 2013.

Brown graduated from Auburn University and began his career in 1957 as an engineer for the aluminum manufacturer Ormet Corporation, before moving on to the Thiokol Corporation, where he worked on rocket propellants. After an industry slump, he moved to Squibb Corporation, where he assumed a variety of positions and in 1972 became president of one of its subsidiaries, Edward Weck & Company—which, at the time, was a struggling medical device manufacturer. During his five-year tenure, he doubled its sales and tripled its profits.

Stryker Corporation

His success at Edward Weck & Company brought him to the attention of Homer Stryker, M.D. In 1977 he became Stryker’s president and chief executive officer. Brown immediately set out three goals that would determine the future of the company—to take Stryker public, to grow earnings per share 20% every year, and to drive growth through acquisitions and operational excellence—all of which he accomplished. In his first year at Stryker, Brown developed the strategy that would drive the company to achieve the longest sustained profit growth of any medical technology company.

In May 1980, after the death of Homer Stryker, Brown was named chairman of the board. Although he retired as company CEO in 2004, he remained chairman until 2009, and today serves as chairman emeritus.

“It is an honor to be recognized by fellow peers and colleagues throughout the medical technology industry. It is my hope that this recognition will serve to inspire future generations of medical technology executives to appreciate that, with a commitment to saving lives and creating jobs, our industry is of unmatched value to America, ” said Brown.

AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award highlights the contributions and accomplishments of a senior executive who has made significant advancements for the medical technology industry, its employees, and its patients. An AdvaMed statement said Brown’s award is in recognition of his unparalleled and sustained activity in industry leadership, medical innovation, public engagement, and corporate philanthropy.

“AdvaMed is extremely proud to honor John Brown with the AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award, ” said Stephen J. Ubl, AdvaMed president and CEO. “America’s medical technology industry is the beneficiary of John’s legacy of leadership as the longest serving board member in the Association’s history. His vast accomplishments have greatly impacted the industry and the advancement of medical technology as an essential part of America’s economy.” Brown served on the boards of both AdvaMed and the Health Industry Manufacturers Association, the predecessor to AdvaMed.

“Importantly, while John Brown is often viewed as a business visionary, he also is a man of unmatched character making him a clear choice for AdvaMed’s first Lifetime Achievement Award, ” Ubl added.

Brown is a director of the American Business Conference, a coalition of Chief Executive Officers of mid-size, high-growth companies. He is also a director of St. Jude Medical, a global cardiovascular device company. He also serves as a governor-appointee on the Michigan Economic Development Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Auburn University Foundation.

Brown currently lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his wife, Rosemary Kopel Brown. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.