MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO ELECTS OMAR ISHRAK TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Sep 22, 2015

Minnesota Public Radio has elected Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer Omar Ishrak to its board of trustees.

Medtronic is the world's leading medical technology company, with more than $27 billion in annual revenue, and operations reaching more than 160 countries worldwide. Since joining Medtronic in June 2011, Ishrak has focused on three core strategies of Therapy Innovation, Economic Value and Globalization. In 2014, he led the acquisition of Covidien, a $10 billion global manufacturer of surgical products and supplies--the largest medical technology acquisition in the history of the industry.

"Throughout his career, Omar has led organizations through complex changes, and he is highly respected by his colleagues and peers," said Brad Anderson, chair of the Minnesota Public Radio Board of Trustees. "His experience leading Medtronic and some of the world's most innovative companies will be a valuable addition to the MPR Board."

Ishrak joined Medtronic from General Electric Company, where he spent 16 years, most recently as president and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems, a $12 billion division of GE Healthcare, with a broad portfolio of diagnostic, imaging, patient monitoring and life support systems. He also served as an officer and a senior vice president of GE. Earlier in his career, Ishrak amassed 13 years of technology development and business management experience, holding leadership positions at Diasonics/Vingmed, and various product development and engineering positions at Philips Ultrasound.

Ishrak grew up in Bangladesh and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of London, King's College. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society, the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context.