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Select IndividualAnthony J. AdducciKurt AmplatzEarl E. BakkenPerry L. Blackshear, Jr.Norman DannRichard DeWallSandra HollenhorstThomas E. HolloranC. Walton LilliheiRonald A. MatricariaPatricia NeumanDemetre M. NicoloffGerald TimmManuel VillafañaWinston R. WallinGeorge Waters
[Cardiac Pacemakers, Medtronic, St. Jude]

Manuel Villafaña

Interview:
1+ hours (Conversazione) and 4 hours (audio), November 20, 1997 (Conversazione), January 21, 1998 and May 20, 1998 (audio interview), ATS Medical, Plymouth, Minnesota
Interviewer: David Rhees

Interview Excerpt:
Audio MP3 File | Excerpt Transcript

Subjects Discussed: (Conversazione) One in a series of informal talks on the medical device industry held at the Bakken Library and Museum.

(Audio interviews) His early life, school experiences; early interest in science and technology; first jobs; experiences with Medtronic; customer services representative; international aspects of the business and product information; service as first international employee and then as representative and manager for Latin America; life in Argentina; Medtronic mission statement; selling methods and prowess; relationships with doctors; importance of education in selling technical products; starting up Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (pacemaker with lithium battery); St. Jude Medical (bileaflet heart valve made from pyrolitic carbon); GV Medical [Grabek Villafaņa] (laser angioplasty system); Helix Bio-Core precursor to ATS [Advancing the Standard]: product, management/support staff, technical expertise, funding, and selling; views on venture capital; impressions of famous heart doctors.

Sound Recordings:
Audio interview
User copy: 4 60-minute cassettes
Original: 4 60-minute cassettes
Conversazione
User copy: 2 60-minute cassettes
Original: 1 90-minute cassette

Restrictions on Use: None

Transcript: 19 pages (Conversazione) and 46 pages (audio)

Accession Number: AV 2001.104.14

 
Biographical Information

Manuel Villafaña was born and attended school in New York. He has worked for Medtronic as sales manager for Latin America. He is an entrepreneur who has begun several medical device companies.

Manuel Villafaña