Apollo Endosurgery Announces Todd Newton as Chief Executive Officer

AUSTIN, Texas, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., a leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures, today announced changes to its executive management team.  Todd Newton will join Apollo Endosurgery as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the board of directors.  Current President and Chief Executive Officer and Founder Dennis McWilliams will assume the role of President and Chief Commercial Officer and report to Newton.  Today's announced changes will become effective on July 1, 2014.

Newton joined ArthroCare Corporation in April 2009 and was ArthroCare's Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer through the closing of ArthroCare's recent sale to Smith & Nephew for $1.7 billion. Prior to his leadership at ArthroCare, Newton served in a number of executive management roles for Synenco Energy, Inc., including President and Chief Executive Officer.  He was a Partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP, from 1994 to 2004 before joining Synenco.

"I believe Apollo has tremendous potential and the ability to become one of the world's most important medical device companies, particularly in the bariatric space, and by doing so, improve the lives of many people," said Newton.  "I look forward to working with Dennis and the many talented people at Apollo to help this company achieve its full potential."

McWilliams, who founded Apollo Endosurgery in 2006, will continue to oversee the global commercial function focused primarily on re-launching and expanding the use of the LAP-BAND® System, maintaining and strengthening customer and partner relationships, developing and introducing new products and services and ensuring consistent commercial execution and delivery in over 100 countries in which Apollo is now doing business.

"I'm very pleased to partner with someone of Todd's caliber, operational experience and track record to help fuel the healthy growth and expansion of Apollo Endosurgery," McWilliams said.  "I'm excited to be able to focus even more of my time now to realize our mission to provide innovative, minimally-invasive solutions that focus on improving patient outcomes in both the bariatric and endoscopic spaces."

About Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. is a leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures. Apollo Endosurgery was cofounded with the Apollo Group, a unique collaboration of physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This collaboration developed a broad portfolio of patents in the field of endoscopic surgery that became the foundation of Apollo Endosurgery.  For more information regarding Apollo Endosurgery, go to: www.apolloendo.com and follow us @Apollo_Endo.

APOLLO ENDOSURGERY and LAP-BAND are worldwide trademarks or registered trademarks of Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.

SOURCE Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.