Clarity
Chris Dutton has been named marketing communications manager of Clarity®, a division of Plantronics Inc, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dutton’s responsibilities include managing the corporate internal and extenal messaging, corporate image and strategic branding of Clarity, positioning of new products in existing and emerging markets, and the development and execution of all advertising, local and national outreach initiatives. Dutton will carry out these responsibilities for Clarity’s three product brands, Clarity, Ameriphone, and Walker Handset/Testsets.

Prior to joining Clarity, Dutton worked at The Walton Co, Huntington Beach, Calif, as a sales and marketing manager. He received a Bachelor of Arts in modern literature and film art at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.

“We have an experienced, highly professional team in place that is further enhanced by Chris’s participation,” said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. “As we move forward, we will look to Chris to strengthen consumer awareness of our brand and continue to build relationships with local businesses and municipal leaders.”

Natus Medical Inc
James B. Hawkins was appointed president, chief executive officer, and a member of the board of directors of Natus Medical Inc, San Carlos, Calif.

“After a thorough search, we are pleased to be able to attract a CEO with Jim’s background and record of success in the medical device industry,” said William New, Jr, MD, PhD, founder and chairman of the board of Natus Medical. “Jim has demonstrated the ability to build businesses, raise capital, and effectively manage a growing company.”

Before joining Natus, Hawkins served as president and CEO of Invivo Corp, Orlando, Fla, where he led Invivo to acquire six companies, increasing the company’s global market share of MRI vital sign monitoring to 80%. Before he joined Invivo, Hawkins founded a corporate financial consulting company, and served as a chief financial officer for technology companies in California’s Silicon Valley.

Hawkins has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a specialization in management from Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif, and a master’s in business administration in Finance from San Francisco State University.

Siemens Hearing Instrments Inc
Three new managers have been appointed to the Siemens Hearing Instruments Inc’s, Piscataway, NJ, team: Ricki Klein, Janice E. Uszenski, and Carolyn M. Smaka.

Klein will serve as national customer care manager, responsible for all customer care activities including management of Customer Care and Audiology Support. Klein holds a master’s degree in audiology, and was in direct sales and sales management in the airline industry for the past 10 years.

Uszenski joins Siemens as the professional products sales manager. Her responsibilities include managing the sales activities of the Professional Products Department, which includes assistive listening devices and batteries. Uszenski has been at Siemens for 10 years, serving as sales coordinator, installation administrator, and MRI logistics administrator. Prior to joining Siemens, Uszenski worked at Multilink Technology Corp, Somerset, NJ, as an inside sales manager for semiconductor technology.

In her new position as North American product requirements manager, Smaka will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing customer and market product requirements for hearing instruments and software. Smaka was recently promoted to this position after serving as the national customer care manager for more than 5 years.