ROBERT L. WERTZ

Westfield, IN 46074 · (847) 809-6747

bwertz@NanoSmartDevices.com

www.NanoSmartDevices.com

A multifunctional, strategic thinking, leader who seamlessly merges medical education, clinical experience, and knowledge gained over the past 12 years leading engineering and product development teams through all phases of product development and FDA submission, leading to launch of over 75 spinal implant system product lines, increasing market share and meeting financial contribution targets through delivery of innovative products that increase procedural efficiency and improve patient outcomes.

Proactive communicator, known for clearly defining objectives for successful execution of impactful global marketing strategies and creating organizational alignment to drive upstream and downstream marketing initiatives that consistently achieve sales revenue and market share goals.

Personally responsible for recruitment, management, and key point of contact for over 200 Spine Surgeon Design and Development Consultants contracted to provide strategic insight and innovative solutions to 53 new product development teams and multiple Scientific and Surgeon Advisory Boards.

 

2017 – Present  
NANOSMARTDEVICES · INDIANAPOLIS, IN     

Global Marketing and Product Development Consultant

  • Upstream and downstream marketing deliverables including product positioning/messaging, communications, competitive activity, market trends, emerging technologies, value proposition, pricing, sales training and medical education
  • Formulation of comprehensive new product development roadmaps through collaboration with internal and external partners combining financial data analytics, in-depth market trend and competitive analysis, global commercialization strategy, regulatory governance, and multi-scenario pricing / reimbursement models
  • Identification of global growth opportunities, developing solid business cases, providing guidance and insight to new product and line extension opportunities that provide maximum revenue generation
  • Surgeon Advisory Board development to ensure stakeholders’ voices are delivered to product development teams

 

2012 – 2017   
NEXXT Spine · NOBLESVILLE, IN                                      

Vice President, Marketing and New Product Development

  • Management responsibility for surgeon consultant, engineering, and marketing teams through all stages of product development leading to FDA 510(k) clearance and market release of 29 spinal fusion product lines
  • Spearheaded research and development of NanoMatrixx, a novel porous bioactive titanium material that mimics the complex porous architecture of bone by combining additive manufacturing (3D Printing) with a bioactive, micro-roughened, nanoscale surface technology for superior implant integration
  • Provided leadership and management for all marketing activities including product positioning/messaging, communications, competitive activity, market trends, emerging technologies, value proposition, pricing, sales force and surgeon training activities, and targeted revenue producing strategies
  • Managed all documentation related to involvement of surgeon consultants for the design, development, evaluation, improvement, marketing, and educational promotion for entire spinal fusion product portfolio
  • Extensive collaboration with external partners specializing in Health Care Economics / Market Access, Clinical, and Regulatory to translate relevant clinical and economic trends into commercial strategies

 

2010 – 2012    
Life Spine · Hoffman Estates, IL                                       

Director – Global Product Marketing                                      

  • Direct management responsibility for 5 product managers and 8 engineers
  • Expanded new product development pipeline from 6 to 34 active projects resulting in 14 new spinal implant system product launches and 9 additional products pending FDA clearance within a 24 month time frame
  • Recruitment and management of a 30 member KOL Surgeon Advisory Board leveraged to drive innovation within the new product development pipeline and encourage peer-to-peer adoption of company’s products
  • Created and executed upstream and downstream global marketing strategies in support of 35 spinal fusion product lines; aligning marketing, sales, customer service, and operations to exceed financial targets
  • Directly accountable for domestic and international inventory forecasting process and allocation of budget to address new versus existing product lines and domestic versus international distribution
  • As key point of contact and product line subject matter expert, established strong and sustainable relationships with surgeon KOL’s, surgeon customers, OR support staff members, and sales distribution partners

 

2009 – 2010    
ALPHATEC Spine · CARLSBAD, CA

Director – Global Product Marketing                                       

  • Management responsibility for 7 direct reports and $12 million budget to drive three year strategic plan and product roadmap for five strategic verticals representing an $183 million, full-line, spinal implant portfolio
  • Provided oversight and direction for global upstream and downstream strategic marketing initiatives to support alignment of business plans with organizational objectives and meet financial targets
  • Developed key metrics and strategic plan to assure delivery of financial contribution targets (e.g., profit/loss) and provide direction to cross functional teams including Product Development, Engineering and Marketing
  • Spearheaded direction and collaboration between cross functional teams in Japan and United States comprised of Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, and Sales in preparation for new product releases in Japanese market

 

2006 – 2009
Integra Spine (Formerly Theken Spine) · Akron, OH    

Director, Product Marketing

  • Developed and gained CEO’s approval for introduction of a streamlined product development process resulting in 11 new spinal implant system product launches within a 24 month time frame, producing a 300% increase in sales growth
  • Management responsibility for 7 new product development teams, recognized for clearly defining expectations and gaining alignment to meet aggressive project timelines to meet product launch dates and achieve sales goals
  • Directly accountable for forecasting, budgeting, and lifecycle planning processes for entire product portfolio
  • Key strategist and developer of surgeon education and sales force training programs
  • Responsible for collecting market data from internal and external sources, analyzing the data, and producing quantitative analysis covering market size, growth rate, profitability, industry cost structures, distribution channels, market trends, competitor information, and key success factors to develop solid business cases

 

2003 – 2006
Avicenna Laser Technology · West Palm Beach, FL

Global Senior Product Manager / Marketing

  • Identified 6 “key” medical specialty market segments that generated a 42% increase in total product line sales within 1 year
  • Developed international distribution channels in China, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Italy, and Brazil
  • Responsible for the creation and execution of highly segmented strategic marketing plans to address behavioral nuances of multiple provider specialties including, orthopedists, neurologists, internal medicine, osteopathy, primary care, podiatry, chiropractic, sports medicine (professional sports teams), pain management/anesthesiology, and rheumatology

 

2000 – 2003
Out of the Box Communications (O2TB) · Lake Worth, FL

Senior Executive Account Manager

  • Member of Executive Management Team responsible for creating a profitable startup Medical Education division  within existing agency and driving revenue from $0 – $30M in 3 years
  • Direct management responsibility for a team of 22 individuals comprised of medical writers, graphic artists, web developers, meeting planners, and marketing and sales professionals
  • Provided strategic direction and tactical execution of multi-modal products and services including but not limited to: ACCME Offerings, Scientific Meetings/Satellite Symposia, Sales Collateral/Support Materials, DTC Advertising, Interactive Web Site Design, Health Fairs/Community Outreach Programs, Pharmacy Programs, Disease Awareness Programs, Physician Office Programs, and e-Detailing

 

1998 – 2002
Advanced Spine Center · West Palm Beach,  FL

Physician / CEO / President

  • Raised $1.2M in venture capital to open a Multi-disciplinary physical medicine and rehabilitation facility
  • Drove revenues from 0$ – $21M/yr. within 5 years – 420% above projection  
  • Exceeded 5th year financial target in year 2 through expansion of provider services
  • Successfully completed business exit strategy, finalizing the sale of the business and generating a return on investment for investors $63M (300% above projection)
  • Employed and managed a staff of 100+ including orthopedic surgeon, neurologist, internal medicine physician, neuropsychologist, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapist, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, social workers, occupational medicine physician, home health care staff, nurses, medical technicians, administrative staff, and an internal marketing staff

 

Educational Highlights
  • Doctorate Degree, magna cum laude, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, Life University, Marietta, GA
  • Bachelor’s Degree, magna cum laude, BS Pre-Med, Excelsior College, Albany, NY
  • Medical Device Product Development Certification, University of California, Irvine, CA
  • Regulatory Requirements for Medical Devices Certification, University of California, Irvine, CA

 

Licenses and Credentialing
  • Indiana Medical Licensing Board (active) – Lic.#08002809A
  • Florida Board of Medicine (active) – Lic.#CH7570
  • Intellicentrics (RepTrax) – Hospital Vendor Credentialing – SEC3URE ID#424350
  • Simplyr (Vendor Credentialing Services) – Hospital Vendor Credentialing
  • GHX (VendorMate) – Hospital Vendor Credentialing

 

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