Barry Freeman, Ph.D., to Strengthen Education and Training Department, and Dennis Van Vliet, Au.D., to Lead Starkey's Western Region
Eden Prairie, Minn. - Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, today announced the addition of two renowned audiologists. Barry Freeman, Ph.D., has joined Starkey as the company's new Director of Education and Training, and Dennis Van Vliet, Au.D., has joined Starkey as the company's new Regional Director for the Western Region (California, Arizona and Nevada).
Barry Freeman, Ph.D.
In this post, Freeman will work closely with product development, marketing and sales in developing and delivering professional training and education materials, as well as leading the Department of Education and Training.
Freeman comes to Starkey from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he spent the last ten years as Chair and Professor of its Audiology Department. In 2004, Freeman received the American Academy of Audiology's Presidential Award for Contributions to the Profession of Audiology, and in 2003 earned the American Academy of Audiology's Larry Mauldin Award for Excellence in Education.
In 1996-1997, Freeman served as President of the American Academy of Audiology, and continues to serve on several of the industry's most prestigious boards and committees, including the Advisory Board for the National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology, the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) and as Co-chair of the Organization of Au.D. Program Directors.
"To bring such a renowned audiologist like Barry Freeman to Starkey is a great thing for our company," said Brandon Sawalich, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "His expertise in audiology along with his leadership skills will be a tremendous asset to the Education and Training Department."
Dennis Van Vliet, Au.D.
Van Vliet joins Starkey as the company's new Regional Director for the Western Region (California, Arizona and Nevada). In this post, Van Vliet will manage a team of inside and field sales executives, as well as regional trainers in the West. He will be responsible for sharing the latest Starkey innovations with hearing care professionals while strengthening existing Starkey customer relationships. A distinguished audiologist, Van Vliet is currently a trustee with the American Academy of Audiology Foundation and will assume the Chair position in July 2008.
Van Vliet has been active serving the field including participating in the Independent Hearing Aid Fitting Forum developing protocols for fitting of non-linear hearing aid; as a board member of the American Academy of Audiology; California Academy of Audiology; and serving as the Convention Chair at the 1998 annual American Academy of Audiology Convention in Los Angeles. He also is frequently invited to present on a variety of hearing aid technology and professional issues for domestic and international professional organizations. Van Vliet holds an Au.D. from Central Michigan University, and an M.A. from California State University, Fullerton. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine. A Vietnam veteran, Van Vliet served in the United States Navy from 1966 - 1970.
"Dennis Van Vliet's experience as an audiologist and industry leader will serve our Western Region and Starkey extremely well," said Sawalich. "We look forward to him bringing continued growth and success to the region."
Both Van Vliet and Freeman will begin their new roles with Starkey in early 2008.
About Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
Privately held Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently has more than 4,000 employees and facilities in 25 countries. Divisions operating under the Starkey family of companies include Audibel, Micro-Tech, NuEar and Starkey.
For more information, visit www.starkey.com or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/starkey.asp
