Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Jonah Shacknai, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis since 1988, has an extremely well diversified corporate and public service background. From 1977 until late 1982, Mr. Shacknai served as chief aide to the House of Representatives' committee with responsibility for health policy, and in other senior legislative positions. During his service with the House of Representatives, Mr. Shacknai drafted significant legislation affecting health care, environmental protection, science policy, and consumer protection. He was also a member of the Commission on the Federal Drug Approval Process, and the National Council on Drugs. From 1982 to 1988, as senior partner in the law firm of Royer, Shacknai, and Mehle, Mr. Shacknai represented over 30 multinational pharmaceutical and medical device concerns, as well as four major industry trade associations. Mr. Shacknai also served in an executive capacity with Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc., prior to its acquisition by Schering-Plough Corporation. In November 1999, Mr. Shacknai was selected to serve on the Listed Company Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange (LCAC). The LCAC was created in 1976 by the New York Stock Exchange board to address issues that are of critical importance to the Exchange and the corporate community. In May 2002, Mr. Shacknai was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters by the NYCPM (affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons), and in the Fall of 2001, he received the national award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge®. In January 2000, Mr. Shacknai was selected as Entrepreneurial Fellow at the Karl Eller Center of the University of Arizona. Mr. Shacknai is president and director of the Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation, a ranch centered around special needs children, and is an honorary director of Delta Society, a public service organization promoting animal-human bonds. He is also a director of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and the World Craniofacial Foundation. In 1997, he received the Arizona Entrepreneur of the Year award, and was one of three finalists for U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Shacknai has served as a member of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council of the National Institutes of Health, and on the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Commission, both federal cabinet-appointed positions. Mr. Shacknai obtained a B.S. degree from Colgate University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Joseph P. Cooper
Executive Vice President, Corporate and Product Development
Joseph P. Cooper has served as Executive Vice President, Corporate and Product Development since July 2006. From January 2001 to July 2006, Mr. Cooper served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. From February 1996 to January 2001, Mr. Cooper served as Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Distribution. Prior to that, he held management positions with Schein Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and G.D. Searle. Mr. Cooper serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, and serves as past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of Arizona.
Jason Hanson
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Jason Hanson has served as Executive Vice-President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary since July, 2006. From April 2004 to July 2006, Mr. Hanson served as General Counsel for GE Healthcare Technologies, a global business specializing in medical imaging, information technology and other durable medical equipment and services, where he was responsible for the global legal affairs of GE Healthcare Technologies and a member of the company’s senior management team. From 2001 to 2004, Jason served as General Counsel for the Americas, GE Medical Systems. Mr. Hanson joined GE in 1999 serving as Senior Counsel for Litigation and Compliance for GE Medical Systems. Mr. Hanson began his legal career with Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. concentrating his practice in litigation, intellectual property and commercial disputes. From 1997 to 1999, Jason served with the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in Washington D.C. as a prosecutor and trial attorney in what is now known as the National Criminal Enforcement Section. Mr. Hanson earned his law degree at Duke University, where he was an editor of the law review, and earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Cornell University.
Vincent Ippolito
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Vincent Ippolito has served as Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing since April 2008. Mr. Ippolito joined Medicis in 2003 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of North American Sales since January 2006. From January 2003 to January 2006, he served as General Manager of Dermatology products, responsible for the marketing and sales functions. During his tenure at Medicis, he has helped launch more than ten new products, including LOPROX® Shampoo, VANOS®, RESTYLANE®, PERLANE®, SOLODYN®, and ZIANA®. Prior to joining Medicis, Mr. Ippolito was employed by Novartis AG from 1986 to 2003, where he served in a variety of sales and marketing roles, including General Manager, Marketing Group Brand Leader for Dermatology and Bone Products, and Vice President of Sales in the Respiratory and Dermatology Division.
Richard D. Peterson
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Richard D. Peterson has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since April 2008. Mr. Peterson also serves as Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Peterson has held various finance related positions with Medicis since 1995. From February 2007 to April 2008, Mr. Peterson served as Senior Vice President of Finance. From August 2002 to February 2007, he served as Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining Medicis, Mr. Peterson was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as a member of the audit department. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Financial Executives Institute and serves on the board of the Phoenix Zoo, a non-profit organization.
Mark A. Prygocki, Sr.
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Mark A. Prygocki has served as Chief Operating Officer since April 2008, and as Executive Vice President since January 2001. Mr. Prygocki joined Medicis in 1991 and was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary in May 1995. From October 1991 to May 1995, he served as Controller. From July 1990 through October 1991, he was employed by Citigroup, an investment banking firm, in the regulatory reporting division. Prior to that, Mr. Prygocki spent several years in the audit department of Ernst & Young, LLP. Mr. Prygocki is a member of the Financial Executive Institute, and is certified by the Arizona State Board of Accountancy and the New York Society of CPAs. Mr. Prygocki serves on the Boards of Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation and Visions of Hope, Inc., non-profit organizations that assist children with special needs.
Mitchell S. Wortzman, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer
Mitchell S. Wortzman, Ph.D. has served as Chief Scientific Officer and as an Executive Vice President of the Company since July 2003. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, Research and Development of the Company from January 2001 to July 2003 and as Senior Vice President, Research and Development of the Company from August 1997 to January 2001. From 1980 to 1997, Dr. Wortzman was employed at Neutrogena Corporation, most recently serving as President of the Dermatologics Division since 1989.