In Memory of
                 Clifford N. Sears

“I love the man that can smile in
trouble, that can gather strength
from distress, and grow brave by
reflection. ‘Tis the business of little
minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and
whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue
his principles unto death.”
—Thomas Paine

Clifford N. Sears of Interton died June 20, 2005, at the age of 64.
Sears, a hard-working man with a big heart, devoted nearly 40 years to improving the quality of life for the hearing impaired. He was not only an outstanding contributor to the profession, but a man who touched the lives of everyone he met. To know him was an honor, and to work along side him a privilege.

Sears was a great asset to Interton. His passion for this work, and his genuine commitment to helping others, will be remembered by all who knew him.

Thank you, Cliff, for your influence on us all. You and your smile will be deeply missed. [Submitted by friends & colleagues.]

Paul M. Byrant

Diana McGinty

Audina Hearing Instruments Inc
Paul M. Byrant has been named vice president of sales for Audina Hearing Instruments Inc, Longwood, Fla. In this position, he will be responsible for the sales team based in Longwood. Byrant was the owner and president of Hearing Success Inc, Florida, and has more than 15 years experience in the hearing industry.

Diana McGinty has been appointed marketing director for Audina. She is responsible for all company brand and marketing initiatives. She has more than 13 years in the marketing field, 10 of which were with a Fortune 500 company in management positions. McGinty is a volunteer with various Central Florida community organizations in leadership positions relating to marketing.

Michael Hamacher

GN Otometrics
GN Otometrics, Schaumburg, Ill, has hired Michael Hamacher as vice president and general manager of the company’s North American business.

He joins the company from Welch Allyn Inc, where he was most recently senior marketing manager, specialty and emerging markets. He was chosen to head up Welch Allyn’s Latin American business, where he focused on developing alliance partners and customer relationship management.

Hamacher holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University.

Danita Bye

Sales Growth Specialists
Danita Bye, a sales force development specialist, was named one of “25 Women to Watch” by the Twin Cities’ Business Journal at its eighth annual awards luncheon in Minneapolis held in July. Her company, Sales Growth Specialists, Minneapolis, helps CEOs and presidents of healthcare related businesses achieve bottom-line results by developing and implementing disciplined sales management systems.

Bye, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology, also publishes an e-zine and frequently contributes to local and national business and trade publications, including The Hearing Review. After a decade at Xerox Corporation, she became an equity partner and national sales manager for Micro-Tech Hearing Instruments, growing annual revenues from $300,000 per year to over $10 million in 7 years.