Robert ‘Bob’ Vitoux Jr. Named OrthoWorx CEO
June 21, 2022 at 7:27 p.m.
Robert ‘Bob’ Vitoux Jr. Named OrthoWorx CEO
By Staff Report-
Vitoux previously served in finance and management positions with Zimmer, Biomet and DePuy, and most recently served as chief financial and chief commercial officer for Dovetail Brands LLC, a unit of Fort Wayne-based Ambassador Enterprises.
“Bob brings decades of engagement with the orthopedic industry to this role as chief executive officer,” said David Findlay, chair of the OrthoWorx Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Lake City Bank. “Bob is passionate about the industry and is deeply committed to Kosciusko County. His experience in the orthopedic industry, his experience in working with private equity partners and his management roles in private and public companies uniquely qualify him to lead OrthoWorx into its next chapter of support for the community and the ortho industry cluster.”
“Bob’s recent role as vice president of private equity with Ambassador Enterprises and his experience in evaluating startup and growth companies in the medical technology area will be a real asset to OrthoWorx. OrthoWorx intends to add an increased emphasis on smaller growth companies that, with the right support and talent pipeline, may become the next emerging market leading medical device company,” Findlay said.
In leading this strategic effort, Vitoux will direct OrthoWorx’s activities funded in part by a recent grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to continue efforts that enhance the Warsaw-based orthopedic industry cluster’s status as the Orthopedic Capital of the World. In May, OrthoWorx and Orthopedics Capital Foundation (OCF) announced that Lilly Endowment, which helped fund the launch of OCF and OrthoWorx in 2009, provided additional grant funding to OCF for the charitable and educational activities of OrthoWorx. The grant could total as much as $2.25 million during the three-year grant period if certain matching conditions are met.
“I am delighted to join OrthoWorx as it matures and evolves into an organization that brings together new voices focused on our mission of advancing the Orthopedic Capital of the World for generations to come,” said Vitoux. “OrthoWorx has tremendous achievements in STEM education, industry workforce development and talent attraction to build on. We have a great opportunity to showcase the value of being here through further leveraging the highly skilled talent and remarkable resources in our region. Other cities and countries are envious of our position as a progressive and successful community with so much to offer employers, their team members, and the families thereof. We need to make sure we protect and expand upon our advantages.”
In addition to his experience in the Indiana-based medical device cluster, Vitoux has served in a number of varied management roles, including president and CEO of Warsaw-based Seymour Midwest; global finance director for Lifescan, a Johnson & Johnson business based in Scotland; and executive vice president and chief financial officer for Steinway Musical Instruments, based in New York City.
As part of its strategy to expand its board of directors and the perspectives that will help guide its new direction, Terry Schlotterback, local industry leader, and Joe Thallemer, Warsaw mayor, have been added to the organization’s board. Other potential board members are currently being evaluated.
Vitoux previously served in finance and management positions with Zimmer, Biomet and DePuy, and most recently served as chief financial and chief commercial officer for Dovetail Brands LLC, a unit of Fort Wayne-based Ambassador Enterprises.
“Bob brings decades of engagement with the orthopedic industry to this role as chief executive officer,” said David Findlay, chair of the OrthoWorx Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Lake City Bank. “Bob is passionate about the industry and is deeply committed to Kosciusko County. His experience in the orthopedic industry, his experience in working with private equity partners and his management roles in private and public companies uniquely qualify him to lead OrthoWorx into its next chapter of support for the community and the ortho industry cluster.”
“Bob’s recent role as vice president of private equity with Ambassador Enterprises and his experience in evaluating startup and growth companies in the medical technology area will be a real asset to OrthoWorx. OrthoWorx intends to add an increased emphasis on smaller growth companies that, with the right support and talent pipeline, may become the next emerging market leading medical device company,” Findlay said.
In leading this strategic effort, Vitoux will direct OrthoWorx’s activities funded in part by a recent grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to continue efforts that enhance the Warsaw-based orthopedic industry cluster’s status as the Orthopedic Capital of the World. In May, OrthoWorx and Orthopedics Capital Foundation (OCF) announced that Lilly Endowment, which helped fund the launch of OCF and OrthoWorx in 2009, provided additional grant funding to OCF for the charitable and educational activities of OrthoWorx. The grant could total as much as $2.25 million during the three-year grant period if certain matching conditions are met.
“I am delighted to join OrthoWorx as it matures and evolves into an organization that brings together new voices focused on our mission of advancing the Orthopedic Capital of the World for generations to come,” said Vitoux. “OrthoWorx has tremendous achievements in STEM education, industry workforce development and talent attraction to build on. We have a great opportunity to showcase the value of being here through further leveraging the highly skilled talent and remarkable resources in our region. Other cities and countries are envious of our position as a progressive and successful community with so much to offer employers, their team members, and the families thereof. We need to make sure we protect and expand upon our advantages.”
In addition to his experience in the Indiana-based medical device cluster, Vitoux has served in a number of varied management roles, including president and CEO of Warsaw-based Seymour Midwest; global finance director for Lifescan, a Johnson & Johnson business based in Scotland; and executive vice president and chief financial officer for Steinway Musical Instruments, based in New York City.
As part of its strategy to expand its board of directors and the perspectives that will help guide its new direction, Terry Schlotterback, local industry leader, and Joe Thallemer, Warsaw mayor, have been added to the organization’s board. Other potential board members are currently being evaluated.
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