Home PageOfficers and Senior Management
Todd M. Austin
President
Todd Austin has a career spanning 20 years and is a globally recognized clinical and medical device industry expert and leader with extensive experience in product development and marketing, strategic planning, business development, P&L responsibility, and clinical consulting. In recent years Mr. Austin has provided clinical, strategic and tactical consulting services to senior management for a number of domestic and international healthcare companies, including MGC Diagnostics. Mr. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Marty College and is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist. Mr. Austin is member of the American Association of Respiratory Care, American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society.
From 2006 to 2010 Mr. Austin was Director of Marketing for CareFusion (now Vyaire), a leading, global corporation serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals measurably improve safety and quality of care. Prior to CareFusion (now Vyaire) Mr. Austin served as Vice President – U.S. Sales and Marketing for ndd Medical Technologies, a Zurich, Switzerland-based company. Mr. Austin also served as Group Product Manager for Yorba Linda, California-based VIASYS Healthcare and Customer/Product Support and Applications Manager for SensorMedics Corporation. Mr. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Marty College.
Jay DesRochers
Sr. Vice President Global Sales & Marketing
Jay DesRochers is a dedicated sales professional with a 22-year tenure at MGC Diagnostics. He began his journey with the company in 2000 as a Sales Consultant covering the New England and NYC regions, demonstrating his early commitment to the company's success. Over the years, his roles expanded, culminating in his current position as VP Global Sales, where he oversees the Worldwide Sales Team across all tiers, including Sales, Support, and Applications Training for both the US and international teams. Jay's experience in various positions at MGC Diagnostics, including Senior Sales Consultant and Regional Sales Manager, has laid the groundwork for his leadership role. With a solid academic foundation in Biology from Framingham State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1998, Jay's scientific background has also been a valuable asset in promoting the company's technical product line. Before joining MGC Diagnostics, he served as a Business Development Manager at Toxikon Corporation, emphasizing his impressive career in sales and his unwavering dedication to his field.
James McGurran
Sr. Vice President Global Engineering, Product Development, QA/RA & IT
James McGurran is a seasoned professional with a 15-year tenure at MGC Diagnostics, where he has continually risen through the ranks while excelling in various roles. Starting as a Hardware Engineer, he quickly advanced to the position of Program Manager, overseeing the successful coordination and execution of new product introductions. In 2015, he was appointed as the Product Development Director, responsible for managing both the Hardware and Software Engineering teams, as well as spearheading all product development initiatives. Since 2020, James has led the global Engineering and Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs teams. James obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota with emphasis in Corporate Finance and Medical Industry Leadership. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering (with Honors) from the University of Iowa College of Engineering.
Frederic Gavage
Executive Vice President International Corporate & Business Development
Fred Gavage started his career in Finance in the mid-2000's. He moved to Management Consulting at Deloitte Northwest Europe in 2010, where he was focusing on Healthcare & LifeSciences projects. Fred joined MGC Diagnostics in 2015 as Managing Director of Medisoft SA. This subsidiary had just been acquired by MGC Diagnostics as a first milestone of its international corporate & business development strategy. Fred successfully boosted the Medisoft SA growth, then achieved several acquisitions and led corporate integration initiatives. Fred moved to his current role as VP of international Corporate and Business development in 2021. His goal is to further develop MGC Diagnostics international strategies and to achieve the challenge of becoming the World leader in cardio-respiratory diagnostics solutions. Fred speaks several languages and holds a master’s degree in management from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.
Julie Patton
Vice President Finance & Global Controller
Julie Patton is the Vice President of Finance & Global Controller at MGC Diagnostics, bringing extensive experience from multinational manufacturing companies. Since joining MGC Diagnostics in September 2023, she oversees financial operations in the US, Europe, and Australia, managing reporting, analysis, budgeting, auditing, controls, and more. Starting her career at EY in California, Julie later transitioned into industry roles in accounting and financial planning across various sectors including SaaS, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Master's of Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame, along with a CPA license. Julie's blend of academic excellence and practical expertise enhances MGC Diagnostics’ global financial strategies.
Michael Heino
Vice President Global Service & Support
Michael Heino, the Vice President of Global Service and Support for MGC Diagnostics, is a seasoned professional in healthcare technology with a career spanning over three decades. His journey began with a strong educational foundation, earning an Electronics Certification from Lake Superior College and a Certificate of Bio-Medical Technology (CBET) from Hibbing Technical College. In April 1991, Michael joined the ranks of MGC Diagnostics, then known as Medgraphics, as a Field Service Technician, where he traveled extensively across the United States and worldwide supporting and enhancing MGC Diagnostics' systems. Notably, his career trajectory evolved in 1995 when he assumed the position of Technical Support Specialist, leading to a series of management positions within service both domestically and internationally. In 2010, Michael became the Service Director, and in 2020, he embraced the role of Global Service and Support VP at MGC Diagnostics, overseeing global service and support operations, steadfastly upholding the highest standards of quality, and ensuring unparalleled customer satisfaction.
Brad Falconer
Vice President Global Operations
Brad Falconer’s career at MGC Diagnostics spans an impressive 26-years. Throughout his tenure, Brad has navigated a diverse array of roles, commencing with Technical Support and Field Service, which laid the groundwork for his two decades of leadership in Operations. Since 2020, he has served as the Vice President of Global Operations, overseeing critical functions such as Purchasing, Production, Inventory, Repair, Shipping, and Facilities management. Prior to his tenure at MGC Diagnostics, Brad made substantial contributions during his six-year tenure with 3M Sound Products, where he adeptly managed a Repair Facility for their Satellite Receiver and Wireless Intercom businesses in St. Paul. Rooted in the heart of northern Minnesota, Brad Falconer embarked on his educational journey at Moorhead Technical College, where he earned an Associate Electronic Communications degree, laying a solid foundation for his enduring and distinguished career in the healthcare technology industry.
Lisa Knepper
Vice President Sales Operations
Lisa Knepper, RRT, RPFT, brings over 18 years of expertise to MGC Diagnostics, where her journey has seen her hold pivotal roles, ranging from International Clinical Research Trainer to Director of Sales Support, Training, and Clinical Research, culminating in her current position as VP of Sales Operations. Before joining MGC Diagnostics, Lisa amassed 12 years of experience managing Cardiopulmonary labs, complemented by early exposure in the ER and ICU settings. Lisa's passion for diagnostics has led her throughout her career. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and Apollo College in Mesa, AZ where she earned her Applied Science Degree. Lisa also attained credentials as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT). Lisa's dedication continues to drive innovation and excellence in respiratory diagnostics.
Darren Drumsta
Vice President Global Product Management and Marketing
Darren Drumsta has been an integral part of the MGC Diagnostics team for nearly 16 years. Initially joining as a Technical Support Specialist, he swiftly transitioned to the Product Management team after just one year. In 2009, Darren's dedication and expertise led to his promotion to Associate Product Manager, focusing primarily on the GX (gas-exchange) product line. In the following years, Darren progressed through various roles within Product Management, eventually ascending to Director, and ultimately to VP overseeing Global Product Management and Marketing. Throughout his tenure, Darren played a pivotal role in expanding the scope of products managed by his team. This expansion was fueled by a combination of innovative new product development and strategic partnerships, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Darren is a graduate of the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, holding both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Exercise Physiology.
The Scientific Advisors
Charles Irvin, PhD. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine. Dept. of Medicine, Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont. Associate Chair for Research Affairs Department of Medicine Assistant Dean for Faculty for the College of Medicine.
In 2012 he was named Assistant Dean for Faculty for the College of Medicine. Dr. Irvin received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Pulmonary Physiology in 1978. He served as an a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellow from 1978-1980 at McGill University in Montreal.
Dr. Irvin is a member of the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and has served on the Board of Directors of the ATS. He is a frequent invited professor and enjoys an international reputation, and in 2014 he was named an inaugural fellow of the European Respiratory Society. Dr. Irvin has served on numerous grant review panels including NIH, American Heart Association and American Lung Association, and has been a chairman of a Lung Association grant review committee. Dr. Irvin has been continuously funded by NIH since 1976 and is currently the Principal Investigator (PI) of a T32 training grant. He has trained 19 postdoctoral fellows and mentored numerous junior faculty, the vast majority now successfully engaged in research careers.
Dr. Irvin’s research interests have focused on understanding the mechanisms of airways dysfunction in the patient with asthma.
Bruce Johnson, PhD. Professor of Medicine, Physiology and BME, Consultant Cardiovascular Diseases, Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Director Human Integrative and Environmental Physiology Laboratory Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN and Phoenix AZ.
Dr. Johnson is the director of the Mayo Clinical Research Unit's Energy Balance Core Laboratory and directs his own research laboratory in human integrative and environmental physiology. He is also on the ERS task force for clinical use of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide. The majority of his research has focused on factors limiting human performance in various clinical syndromes, in athletes and under extreme environmental conditions. He has led field studies in Antarctica, funded through the National Science Foundation, and on Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro and studied unique populations such as breath-hold divers in Croatia and F-22 pilots from the U.S. Air Force. His clinical research focuses on novel methods for detection and tracking of chronic disease as well as environmental factors that may be involved in disease risk.
Dr. Johnson’s current research team is interested in how cardiovascular function influences breathing and how breathing may in turn influence cardiovascular function. These interactions include neurohumoral, mechanical, hemodynamic and genetic interactions.