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Email: sales@cadenceinc.com
Call: 540-248-2200

Cadence Management Team

 

 

Peter Harris - CEO

My Story

I was born in Virginia, but it was largely a military accident. I have since moved around a bunch, living in Honolulu, Boston, and San Francisco to name a few. I have been married for 15 year and have twin 11 year old sons, who have the misfortune of possessing 50% of my material in their DNA.

My career started trading fixed income securities for Montgomery Securities, followed by a couple of years working with large multinational on China market entry strategies with Pacific rim Resources, both in San Francisco. I have a BA in Mathematics from Middlebury College and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. I am dangerously rusty in Mandarin, but can still do rudimentary arithmetic as long as a calculator is handy.

I joined Cadence in 1998 and became CEO in 2003. It has been a ton of fun, with no shortage of change and challenge. I am passionate about what we do – improving patient outcomes in partnership with medical device companies is a great way to contribute to the world in which we live.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I was the lead singer in a punk band in college
  • I tend to think of speed limits as loose guidelines
  • I am massively claustrophobic and prefer the stairs to the elevator
www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Peter/Harris

 

Alan Connor - President

My Story

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA so I am obligated to insert a “Go, Steelers!” here.  Actually, I remain a Pittsburgh sports fan even though I moved south to Virginia in 2009.  My wife of 17 years was my high-school sweetheart and we have two daughters, 13 and 9.  My education includes a degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

My early career experience included manufacturing, quality and project engineering and supply chain consulting.  I also have about 12 years of experience in a variety of management roles within large and medium-sized medical device companies, including supply chain management, manufacturing, marketing and product development.  I joined Cadence as President in 2011 to help continue the growth of the organization while maintaining its unique entrepreneurial culture.

The majority of my spare time is spent observing my girls’ activities and chauffeuring them back and forth to their activities.  I used to coach their soccer teams but, when they both decided to focus on dance and performing arts, it quickly became apparent that my career prospects as a ballet coach were limited. 

Professionally, I am passionate about building great organizations and developing a culture of continuous improvement.  I was fortunate to spend ten years of my career with an organization which received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award where I learned how to build a sustainable, long-term culture of excellence.  Among other consulting and volunteer experiences, I was a volunteer for the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative, working with hospitals and other healthcare facilities to apply lean manufacturing principles to improve the quality and efficiency of the delivery of healthcare services.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I am also a pilot – a lifelong dream I fulfilled in 2009 –  and I volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot and a youth aerospace education officer. 
  • When forced to fly commercial and during other spare time, I enjoy reading, particularly spy fiction, autobiographies and military history.
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/alandconnor

 

Ken Cleveland - CFO

My Story

Born in Virginia, I grew up within 10 miles of our current Virginia plant. I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1988 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and was fortune during my college days to spend a summer working for a one-machine, 3 person start-up called Specialty Blades.  I caught the “fever” for small business that summer and probably learned as much in 3 months as I had the previous three years.  After graduation, I was lured by the bright lights of “big company” life and went to work for Westinghouse in Aiken, SC.  But the “fever” never went away and after going back to school and receiving an MBA from the University of South Carolina, I came to work for Specialty Blades (now Cadence) in 1996 as Controller and several years later became CFO.

My wife has endured my “noise” for 21 years (supposedly I’m so tight I squeak when I walk).  We have been blessed with two wonderful kids, a boy age 13 and a girl age 11, and we think Joshua said it best - “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

 

 

Something that not many people know about me…

  • Relaxing for me is flip flops, shorts, a camper, no cell service, no internet, and no TV…I call it Linked Out.
  • One college summer, I wrote a budget program in basic computer language on IBM’s first “laptop” (IBM’s Portable  Computer 5155) for my personal use…what a geek!  I guess it should have been a sign!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/KSCLEVELANDIII

 

Carl Palermo - Executive Vice President Strategy and Corporate Development

My Story

I was born, raised and schooled in Texas which is a place where fried food and red meat are basic daily staples and bacon is actually a condiment. My father was a naval aviator and I was a military brat, so as a kid we moved around a lot. I’m very married with children and deny the rumors of grandkids. Life has afforded me the pleasure of living in Texas, Ohio and Virginia and find that I prefer the quality of life in a smaller community. 

My career began in the oil patch and after working summers for an oil field production company. I’m passionate about manufacturing and still believe the U.S. manufacturing sector will continue to dominate as the technology and quality leader of the world. Later in my career I  followed some of my mentors through other industries including nuclear, automotive, aerospace and finally settled in the world of Medical Device manufacturing. I joined Cadence in 2003 back when we were primarily an industrial focused Specialty Blades
manufacturing company and at the same time Peter took the helm as CEO - Just in time
to board the bullet train.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I played alto saxophone and briefly was part of a garage rock band.
  • I got my first motorcycle at 14 and raced motor cross and flat track for 10 years as well as drag racing.
  • I was a model for Gerber baby food
  • I’m a Journeyman machinist

 

TM Dickinson - VP Sales

My Story

It’s not misspelled.  My name is T.M.  Compound that with the fact that I speak with a southern accent and nearly no one gets it right on the first try.  However, I will respond to anything remotely close such as Tim, Tom, or even Steve. 

After graduating in 1992 from Hampden-Sydney College, I began a 12 year career in sales and engineering with a wireless communications company (the logical career choice for every English major).  After moving my wife 11 times in 7 years across the United States, “we” decided that we wanted our children to be from somewhere and to have some roots.   As a native Virginian,   the “Old Dominion” was the first choice.

I was fortunate enough to join Cadence in 2004. Since then, we have experienced terrific growth and we have positioned ourselves as the leading manufacturer of high performance cutting, piercing, and fluid movement sub-assemblies for mechanical wand instruments used in surgical procedures.   However the thing about Cadence that I am most proud of is that we are making a difference in people’s lives by helping Device OEMs and surgeons improve surgical outcomes.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I completed a marathon a few years ago with a good friend that has a similar “Reubenesque” physique like me.  It is truly amazing what you can train your mind and body to do.
 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/t-m-dickinson/1/48b/445

 

Chip Harvill - VP Marketing

My Story

I was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  I have been happily married for 29 years, have two grown sons, and two spoiled dogs. I graduated with honors from Virginia Tech in 1983 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and received management certification from the Darden School of Business in Charlottesville.

I have worked at Cadence for the last 25 years, beginning work here in 1986 as one of the first employees when the company was called Specialty Blades.  Following successful efforts in many evolving roles within the company (such as sweeping the floors, running machines, and emptying the trash), my most recent contributions have been focused in sales, marketing and business development, with an emphasis in relationship building and new product development for major surgical device and diagnostics clients.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I have a passion for college football, especially when it relates to Saturdays in Blacksburg, Va watching the Hokies play.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chipharvill

 

Jeff Crist - VP Quality and Regulatory

My Story

I was born in Richmond, Virginia and attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating (luckily) with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.   After graduation, I proudly served as a United States Naval Officer and enjoyed a few luxurious Mediterranean Cruises visiting many exciting far off lands.  Having found a beautiful young woman who accepted my wedding proposal, I decided that long overseas deployments were no longer in my future.   I started my next adventure with a metal manufacturing company (Neuman USA Ltd) as an applications engineer and worked my up to Engineering Manager.   My wife and I both decided to go back to school together before we started a family; me for an MBA and my wife for a Masters in Education from James Madison University.   Afterwards, I found an opportunity with a small company in the Shenandoah Valley called Specialty Blades Inc. - now known as Cadence Inc.

I have called Cadence home since 1998 and have had the pleasure of serving in many different roles with the company.   I am extremely proud of our accomplishments, growth, constant change, the people who work here, and the products we make.  I believe that the work we do makes a difference in the lives of others and it’s nice to work hard for a good cause.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I love standing in a river waving a stick around but I’m one of the worst fly fishermen in the state of VA.
  • I’m passionate about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the preservation work they do.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcrist

 

Mike Bond - VP Engineering and Program Management

My Story

I was born in Michigan, but grew up in Massachusetts. My driving skills were honed on the pot-hole infested streets of the Boston area. (I still consider the use of directional signals as a sign of weakness). Although I consider myself a charter member of Red Sox Nation, I’m primarily a New England Patriots fan.

I graduated from MIT in 1977 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly thereafter, I went to work at Gillette as a Product Designer. I attended night classes at Babson College, graduating in 1984 with an MBA. For better or worse, this propelled me into a variety of management positions in Product Development, Manufacturing and Blade Process Engineering at Gillette.

My wife (Nancy) and I both come from families with seven children, so I guess it was inevitable we’d end up with a large family of our own (6 kids).

After retiring from Gillette in 2006, I took some time off to consider what I wanted to do next. My decision to join Cadence was heavily influenced by its mission, culture and people. The opportunity to influence and contribute to the company’s success has been very rewarding.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • I’ve completed 11 marathons, including 9 Boston Marathons. While there will be no additional marathons in my future, I’m still an avid runner.

 

Brian Plummer - VP Manufacturing Rhode Island

My Story

I was born in Massachusetts and lived here all my life but for 1 year in the mountains of Vermont for which there is no record available.  I’ve been married for 23 years and have 4 children who keep my wife Martha and me hoppin’.  After growing up in Chelmsford, MA and taking my 1 year sabbatical in Vermont, I graduated cum laude from the University of Lowell with a BSEE degree in 1987 and later on from Northeastern University with an MBA in 1993.  I started my career in engineering and transitioned to operations working in a variety of industries including semiconductors, lasers, electronics, life sciences, and plastics in addition to medical. I also moonlight part-time as a faculty member of the University of Massachusetts in the Charlton College of Business teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in operations management. My role at Cadence has been the most personally satisfying in that at the end of the day you go home and feel really good about what you do and the impact it has on people’s well being.

Something that not many people know about me…

  • My wife and I met studying for a calculus final at the library in college – how romantic is that?   I neither own a pocket protector nor resemble any comic strip characters.
  • I’ve succumbed to the gravitational pull of the ocean.  Each time I move it’s further east.  Another couple hundred yards, a little global warming and I’ll be under water.
  • If it floats, I want to try it.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerbrian

 

Scott Norris - VP Manufacturing Virginia

My Story

I was born and raised in Northern Ohio. My wife and I have been married for 35 years and have two daughters (one has patterned her career after Warren Buffet and the other has patterned her career after Jimmy Buffet).

My first real job was with the Timken Company during which I earned a BS in Industrial Engineering. I also have an MBA from Xavier Williams College of Business. While at J&J and Ford, I was certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt and have successfully completed numerous Operational and Transactional projects. I have benefitted from a rich mix of Engineering and Operations roles in Automotive and Medical companies including Johnson & Johnson, Integra, and Sandvik Medical.
I joined Cadence in 2011 and I am looking forward to partnering with the team to help facilitate growth and a commitment to excellence.

Something that not many people know about me... 

  • One of my summer jobs was working in a cemetery in a small village in Ohio.  We often dug graves with shovels in areas where equipment could not be used due to space constraints.