Pulse Data Appoints Peter Standish as New President & CEO of its North American Operation

Pulse Data International, the leading manufacturer and distributor of solutions for people who are blind, or who have severe low vision, has appointed Peter Standish as President and CEO of its North American subsidiary, Pulse Data HumanWare. Peter will take over from Greg Thompson, who has been on assignment as Executive Director and Acting CEO since September 2003. After a suitable transition period, Greg will return to New Zealand in April, and resume his role as International Marketing and Business Development Manager.

Peter is a New Zealander, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies in Marketing from Massey University in 1984, before embarking on an outstanding 18 year career with Merck and Co. Inc., the giant US pharmaceutical company. He started as a medical Sales Representative in their New Zealand subsidiary and progressed through the roles of Business Manager, Product Manager and Senior Product Manager. He was transferred to the US in 1992 as Director of Marketing Support and then Director of Business Development. Peter was then promoted to Senior Director to head one of Merck's 24 sales regions. The region had turnover in excess of $230 million and employed 144 people. 

He then transferred to Merck's US Head Office in Pennsylvania as Senior Director of Sales Training and Professional Development, establishing new programs to develop the skills of both managers and senior executives throughout the company. Peter played a major role in launching several of Merck's most successful products, including VIOXX, one of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis and pain and arguably the most successful launch of any pharmaceutical product in the US market. 

"After an extensive search we are delighted to have found a person with such considerable sales and management experience and success", said Greg Thompson. "As a New Zealander, Peter will relate extremely well to our manufacturing operation in New Zealand, and having lived in the United States for 12 years, he is committed to this country and has a demonstrated track record of high achievement here. We all believe that Peter has the ideal attributes to continue and improve the strong sales growth, and increasing presence, of Pulse Data HumanWare in North America".

Peter will commence as President and CEO on February 19th, 2004.

"I am honored to have been chosen for this role", said Peter, "and to work with such an innovative and caring company. Pulse Data is a world leader in solutions for people with severe vision impairment, it is entering an exciting new phase in its history, and I am thrilled to be part of the team".