Corporate Biographies
Beatrice Scherer - President and Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Scherer began her career at Graham-Field over forty-one years ago as an A/R Reconciliation Clerk. She rose through the ranks to become Vice President of Customer Service and Administration. Because of her in-depth knowledge of Graham-Field’s customer base, organization, computer systems and product lines, Ms. Scherer was asked to interrupt her retirement to re-join Graham-Field in 2003 as Senior Vice President of Administration. Due to her many contributions during the successful turnaround of Graham-Field, Ms. Scherer was promoted to President/CEO of the Company effective September 2006. During her tenure as Senior Vice President of Administration, the Company successfully completed its first strategic business plan, integrated three computer systems into one and launched a comprehensive website and e-commerce initiative that gives GF Health Products, Inc. customers true B2B functionality to efficiently place orders and the ability to check inventory, pricing, and order status real-time.
Kenneth Spett - Executive Vice President
Mr. Spett has over 30 years of diverse healthcare industry experience in a variety of senior executive, sales and marketing positions, with companies such as Lumiscope and Whitestone Products. Mr. Spett began his career with Graham-Field in 1983 as Vice President of Operations for Labtron Scientific Corporation and became Corporate Vice President of Marketing when Labtron and Graham-Field merged. He re-joined GF Health Products in July 2003 as Vice President of the Medical/Surgical Division. In 2007, Mr. Spett was promoted to Senior Vice President, with P&L responsibility for GF Health Products’ primary care, acute care, alternate site, specialty markets, and GF’s Rhode Island manufacturing facility. Mr. Spett was recently promoted to Executive Vice President. In this new position, his responsibilities will encompass the Medical/Surgical, Homecare, Consumer and International SBUs, along with Global Operations and Marketing. Mr. Spett possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queens College in New York.
Cherie Antoniazzi - Senior Vice President, Quality and Risk Management
Cherie Antoniazzi joined Graham-Field in 1996 with its acquisition of the Everest & Jennings companies. In 1997, she was transferred to the Corporate Office where her responsibilities encompassed Labor Relations and Human Resources Management for all of Graham-Field's North American operations. On October 1, 2009, Ms. Antoniazzi assumed the critical responsibility for leading Graham-Field’s 360 Degree Quality Initiative and currently directs the organization’s Quality and Risk Management disciplines. Prior to 1992, she spent eighteen years with the Huffy Corporation in key management positions in its Manufacturing, Operations, Environmental Law and Human Resources functions.
Ivan Bielik - Senior Vice President, Business Analyst
Mr. Bielik brings to GF Health Products Inc., twenty years of experience and knowledge in the Information Technology field. Some of his previous work background included Trading Systems Strategist for United Equities, Manager of Decision Support Systems for Cantor Fitzgerald / eSpeed Inc. and Manager of Information Systems for Margolin Winer & Evens. Mr. Bielik possesses an MBA degree in Accounting and Management Information Systems and is a Licensed CPA.
Lawrence de la Haba - Senior Vice President, Business Development
Mr. de la Haba returned to Graham-Field in August 1999 as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to rejoining Graham-Field he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Lumex Division of Fuqua Medical Products. Mr. de la Haba started his healthcare career with Lumex in 1982, served as Controller for Hygeia Medical Supply from 1993-1995 and Regional Vice President for the Sulzer Metco division of Sulzer, Inc. He is now responsible for Graham-Field's new business development efforts, specifically the Company’s Made in USA initiative and Strategic Account Program. Mr. de la Haba has a BA in Political Science and an MBA in Marketing from St. John's University in New York City
David Walton - Senior Vice President, Long-Term Care
Mr. Walton has been involved in Long-Term care for approximately twenty years. He began his career as a Territory Sales Representative for Omni Manufacturing in 1986. He then moved into the position of Vice President of Sales for the Omni Division of Basic American Medical Products. Mr. Walton left Basic American Medical in 2001 and accepted a position as General Manager for Healthspace, a healthcare furnishings division of the Ivan Allen Company. Mr. Walton returned to GF Health Products, Inc. in July of 2003 as Senior Zone Manager and in 2005 was promoted to Vice President. Mr. Walton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of West Georgia.
Kurt Hellman - Vice President Manufacturing Operations (Fond du Lac, WI)
Mr. Hellman joined GF Health Products, Inc. bed manufacturing division located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in May of 1984 as a Materials Manager. Over his twenty plus years with the Company, Mr. Hellman’s effectiveness has advanced him into his current position. Working together with the Operations team, they have successfully integrated the manufacturing and bed product lines of National Metals Industries, Simmons Healthcare, SSC Medical, Sci-o-tech, Lumex and Smith & Davis. Mr. Hellman holds Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both Marketing and Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin. He is also Certified in Production and Inventory Management from APICS.
Marc Bernstein - Senior Vice President, Consumer Sales
When GF Health Products, Inc. acquired Lumiscope in January of 2008, Mr. Bernstein was brought on board as Vice President of Sales: Lumiscope. Prior to joining Graham-Field, Mr. Bernstein held the position of President with Lumiscope and possesses a strong background in sales and product development; evidenced by his position as Vice President of Sales at Dazey Home Products and Nelkin Piper International as a Corporate Partner. Mr. Bernstein received an Undergraduate Degree in business from the University of Missouri along with a Masters Degree in Psychology.