OrthoWorx Attracts New CEO from Zimmer

OrthoWorx has appointed Sheryl Conley as its new CEO, replacing David Floyd who was a founding board member of the company beginning in 2009.

Conley is a Warsaw, Ind. native, which is also where the company is headquartered. Warsaw is sometimes called “the orthopedic capital of the world,” due to the dense cluster of orthopedic companies that exist there. OrthoWorx is a community-based initiative that engages Warsaw’s orthopedic industry players and other stakeholders to promote growth and ensure the local area economy benefits from the industry.

Floyd is leaving OrthoWorx to dive back into the commercial industry side of the orthopedic community.

According to Jon Serbousek, OrthoWorx board chair, Conley’s appointment ensures continuity of purpose for the organization: “We are exceedingly grateful for David’s service to OrthoWorx, both as a founding board member and, for the past year, as CEO,” Serbousek said. “While our organization is still young, we have matured and made outstanding progress with David’s leadership. Continuity of leadership is important to us in this transition and we are delighted that Sheryl has agreed to join us. Her credentials as a community leader and orthopedic executive are exceptional and we look forward to working with her to continue the important work of OrthoWorx.”

Conley began her career in orthopedics at Zimmer in 1983 in clinical research. She held increasingly responsible positions in marketing and management, including president of the global products group; president of Zimmer reconstructive; and general manager of Zimmer Canada. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and an MBA from the Miller College of Business, also at Ball State University. She will officially assume the role of OrthoWorx CEO on September 10.

“I have been privileged to work with OrthoWorx and the Orthopedic Capital Clinic project since its inception and I believe deeply in the overall mission of OrthoWorx,” said Conley. “I know from my personal experience how important Warsaw and the surrounding region are to orthopedics and in turn how important orthopedics is to Warsaw, the region, the state of Indiana, the nation and the world. Without a supportive economic landscape and the human capital it wouldn’t be possible for Warsaw to be the orthopedic capital of the world. I look forward to leading the OrthoWorx team in building upon that position.”

“The past year has been one of the most satisfying in my career,” said Floyd of his time at OrthoWorx. “I have been honored to work with Sheryl this past year and am eager to see OrthoWorx build on its momentum under her leadership. She has a deep understanding of OrthoWorx and is very well respected in the orthopedic industry and the community.”

Since Floyd took on the role of CEO at OrthoWorx in September 2011, the organization has made significant progress in advancing its mission, with signature achievements in community enhancement, education and talent and workforce development. The organization also has considerably advanced the feasibility study that is exploring the Orthopedic Capital Clinic project. The clinic would serve as a centerpiece project to hopefully bring world-class orthopedic clinical research and education to the Warsaw area.