BRISBANE, Calif., Aug. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cutera, Inc. (Nasdaq:CUTR) (“Cutera” or the “Company”), a leading provider of laser and energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide, announced the appointment of Michael Karavitis, Ph.D., as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, and Michael Palumbo as Vice President, Global Services. Both appointments are effective August 21st, 2017, and each executive will report to James Reinstein, Cutera’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Karavitis returns to Cutera, having previously served as the Company’s Vice President of Research and Development from 2012 to 2015. Under his leadership, Cutera released multiple innovative platforms, as well as product line extensions including Enlighten® (the world’s first dual wavelength, dual pulse duration picosecond aesthetic laser), Excel HR®, Prowave LX® and two new hand pieces for TruSculpt®, Cutera’s body sculpting platform. Prior to returning to Cutera, Dr. Karavitis served as Chief Technology Officer at Femtoblanc, Inc. As an expert in multiple specialties impacting modern laser and light-engine design, Dr. Karavitis engineered the next generation of femtosecond lasers at Femtoblanc. In addition, Dr. Karavitis led various teams of engineers and scientists at a number of successful early to mid-stage companies, including LenSx, Newport Corporation, and Intralase Corporation.
Dr. Karavitis graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Indiana University, and completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical and Material Physics at the University of California, Irvine. He is a named inventor on 10 U.S. patents, and has authored 17 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
“I am thrilled to be rejoining Cutera at this time. The Company is well positioned to take advantage of the disruption in the marketplace and I am confident that I can elevate the Company’s product offering by delivering first-to-market product innovations. I believe that the new leadership and renewed energy at the Company complements my product development experience and creates a unique opportunity for Cutera,” said Dr. Karavitis.
Mr. Palumbo joins Cutera after a 19-year career at Cynosure, during which he held senior level positions in both the international and domestic customer service departments. While at Cynosure, Mr. Palumbo was instrumental in restructuring the company’s customer service efforts. At Cutera, Mr. Palumbo will focus on worldwide service initiatives, including enhancing product services and driving customer satisfaction.
“I am extremely excited to join Cutera at this pivotal time in the Company’s evolution. Cutera is a highly regarded company in the aesthetics marketplace, and I look forward to driving customer satisfaction to new levels, expanding our global presence, and optimizing our industry-leading services,” said Mr. Palumbo.
“Dr. Karavitis is a well-known innovator in the industry and we are delighted to welcome him back to Cutera. Further, I am confident that Mr. Palumbo will add unmatched expertise and efficiencies to our Global Service Organization, as we scale for our continued growth,” said Mr. Reinstein. “The addition of these two highly skilled individuals to our senior leadership team comes at a critical time for Cutera. Moreover, these two hires underscore the primacy that Cutera has, and always will, place on our products and our customers’ success and satisfaction in using them.”
About Cutera, Inc.
Brisbane, California-based Cutera is a leading provider of laser and other energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide. Since 1998, Cutera has been developing innovative, easy-to-use products that enable physicians and other qualified practitioners to offer safe and effective aesthetic treatments to their patients. For more information, call 1-888-4CUTERA or visit www.cutera.com.
CONTACTS: Cutera, Inc. Sandy Gardiner Chief Financial Officer (Consulting) 415-657-5500 sgardiner@cutera.com Investor Relations John Mills ICR, Inc. 646-277-1254 john.mills@icrinc.com
