KALAMAZOO, Mich., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stryker Corporation announced an increase in the size of its Board to eight and the election of Louise L. Francesconi as a member of its Board of Directors on July 26, 2006.
Ms. Francesconi is a Raytheon Company Vice President and President of its Missile Systems business, which she has led since 1996. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and with a workforce of 11,000 employees and 2005 sales of $4.1 billion, Raytheon Missile Systems is the world's leading producer of weapon systems for the United States military and the allied forces of more than 40 countries.
A 31-year veteran of the defense industry, Ms. Francesconi began her career at Hughes Aircraft Company in 1975 in the Company's financial operations and rose to Chief Financial Officer of Hughes Missile Systems Company (HMSC) in 1993. She was later appointed a Hughes Aircraft Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HMSC, and then was named Company President in 1996. She was elected a Vice President of Raytheon and appointed General Manager of Missile Systems in November 1999; she was subsequently appointed President in August 2002.
John W. Brown, Chairman of the Board of Stryker Corporation, said "We are delighted that Ms. Francesconi has joined our Board and look forward to her contributions. Louise's experience and expertise in leading and managing a widespread, high-tech organization will be particularly helpful at Stryker."
Ms. Francesconi is a Director of the Tucson Medical Center HealthCare Board of Trustees and the Tucson Airport Authority. She is also a member of the National Board of Advisors for the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.
Ms. Francesconi earned her bachelor's degree in economics from Scripps College and a master's degree in business administration from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Stryker Corporation is one of the world's leading medical technology companies with the most broadly based range of products in orthopaedics and a significant presence in other medical specialties. Stryker works with respected medical professionals to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. The Company's products include implants used in joint replacement, trauma, craniomaxillofacial and spinal surgeries; biologics; surgical, neurologic, ear, nose & throat and interventional pain equipment; endoscopic, surgical navigation, communications and digital imaging systems; as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment. Stryker also provides outpatient physical therapy services in the United States. The Company's website address is http://www.stryker.com .
Stryker CorporationCONTACT: Dean H. Bergy, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ofStryker Corporation, +1-269-385-2600
Web site: http://www.stryker.com/
