Alan Olsen

Biography

- Alan Olsen was founder and President of Danek Medical, Inc. With more than $90 million in sales during the early 1990’s after merging with Sofamor, Sofamor Danek Group, a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed company, became the world’s largest supplier of implants, computer-assisted surgery products, and biologics for spinal surgery and neurosurgery. Medtronic, the world’s largest medical device company, acquired Sofamor Danek in January 1999. Alan Olsen is Chairman of the Board of Atlas Spine, a spinal implant company. He has also been an active investor and director in six privately held companies, primarily in the medical device industries, which have either been acquired or are profitable operating businesses today. Mr. Olsen recently retired from the Board of Directors of Cyberonics, a NASDAQ-listed company with core expertise in neuromodulation. The company developed and markets the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy System, which is FDA-approved for the treatments of epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression. In addition to his service on corporate and private boards, Mr. Olsen has served as chairman or board member with eight charitable organizations focused on spinal cord injury, children’s advocacy for foster children and the arts over the past 10 years.

Research Interest

Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics