GREENVILLE, N.C., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Janus Development Group, a provider of assistive living technology including the popular SpeechEasy electronic fluency device, today announced the appointment of former SpeechEasy Division Vice President Alan Newton as the company’s new president. It also announced that retiring President Darwin Richards, who led Janus Development Group since it was founded in 2000, will continue to serve the company as a senior advisor.
In his new post, Mr. Newton will spearhead several new product development and marketing initiatives to enhance SpeechEasy’s status as a preferred treatment option for people who stutter. These initiatives will include technology and distribution improvements, as well as new procedures for insurance reimbursement.
“Janus Development and the entire SpeechEasy community will be well served by Alan’s passion and commitment to helping people benefit from assistive technology,” said Mr. Richards. “His exceptionally capable leadership is certain to elevate the company to even greater success.”
Mr. Newton joined Janus Development in 2002 with management expertise in supply chains, distribution and operations. Prior experience included serving as Operations Supervisor for Alaska Distributors Company (Anchorage) -- a leading beverage distributor throughout the western states, Inventory Controller for Alaska Seafood International (Anchorage) and as a Petty Officer, Machinist Mate 3rd Class with the US Navy Nuclear Power Program (Charleston, SC).
Mr. Newton added, “My goal is to ensure that Janus Development fulfills its mission as a caring, forward-thinking company that helps people with disabilities live richer, fuller lives.”
About Janus Development and SpeechEasy
Janus Development Group, Inc. was founded in December 2000 to develop and market innovative assistive living technology. Its flagship product is the SpeechEasy -- a portable fluency-enhancing device that helps people who stutter speak more fluently with less effort. The device is worn in or around the ear in a manner similar to a hearing aid. But rather than amplify sound, SpeechEasy alters the way the user hears his own voice by changing the pitch and delaying it slightly. This tricks the brain into hearing a second voice speaking in unison. Such “choral” speech can alleviate and even eliminate stuttering. SpeechEasy was developed by a team of communication disorder researchers at East Carolina University, and is marketed exclusively by Janus Development Group. SpeechEasy devices are available via a network of state licensed, ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) certified speech language pathologists. More information about Janus Development Group and the SpeechEasy device is available at www.janusdevelopment.com and www.speecheasy.com .
Janus Development Group
CONTACT: Erik Deutsch of Rainmaker & Sun, +1-818-789-9928, ext. 105,erikd@rainmakerandsun.com, for Janus Development Group
