Etymotic Research is led by a seasoned management team. Senior management includes the following professionals:

Mead Killion, President (interview)
Mead Killion, Ph.D., founded Etymotic Research, Inc. in 1983. Prior to starting ER, he worked for over 20 years for a major electronic component manufacturer, where he designed hearing aid microphones that were so accurate they were also used in recording and broadcast studios. Dr. Killion earned degrees in mathematics from Wabash College and the Illinois Institute of Technology, and completed his doctorate in audiology at Northwestern University. He was awarded an honorary doctor of science (Sc.D.) degree from Wabash College.

Dr. Killion teaches an advanced course in hearing aid electroacoustics at Northwestern and Rush Universities, where he holds adjunct and visiting professorships, respectively. He has directed graduate research at City University of New York Graduate School, where he is an adjunct professor. He has given invited lectures on hearing and hearing aids in 19 countries. Dr. Killion is a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and the Audio Engineering Society and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of hearing. He is an accomplished choir director, jazz pianist and violinist.

Mark E. Piepenbrink, CFO
Mark Piepenbrink, B.S., CPA has had more than twentyfive years of financial and accounting experience in manufacturing and distribution. Mr. Piepenbrink spent eleven years in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick where he performed audits and served as an advisor to the owners of closely held manufacturing and distribution companies. He utilized technical abilities and past experience to develop practical solutions for business problems. Mr. Piepenbrink has had extensive experience in management, negotiation, computer modeling, strategic planning and forecasting, contract review, human resource management and organizational development.

Gail Gudmundsen, Director Sales and Marketing
Gail Gudmundsen, Au.D., earned her masters and doctoral degrees in audiology. At the beginning of her career, she provided clinical audiology services at two large teaching hospitals in Chicago, after which she operated a multioffice audiology private practice for over twenty years. Her experience includes teaching, research and organizational leadership.

Dr. Gudmundsen has served on two State of Illinois licensure boards and on the board of directors of numerous state and national audiology organizations and foundations. She is a Trustee of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Michael Shaver, Director Worldwide Sales, Consumer Products
Michael Shaver joined Etymotic Research in July 2004 as the Director of Worldwide Sales for the Consumer Products Division. He is responsible for all sales functions including distribution, OEM and retail sales. Mr. Shaver previously worked for Fellowes Inc. as the OEM Sales Manager for the Body Glove line of products. In addition, he worked for Jabra Corporation and GN Netcom Inc. as the Director of OEM Sales. Mr. Shaver began his twenty year career in consumer electronics at Labtec Inc. (1985-1998) where he helped lead Labtec from an obscure headphone company to a computer speaker powerhouse.