Device Talks

The Story of Device Talks

Behind the scenes.  Ahead of the curve.  Inside the corner office.

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It started with the Big 100

In 2007, entrepreneur Brian Johnson founded MassDevice.com, growing it to become the most trusted online journal of the medical device industry.  In July, 2011, he hosted his first event, the “Mass Device Big 100 Regional Roundtable” in Waltham, MA.

DeviceTalks goes nationwide

Between 2011 and 2015, I had the pleasure of working with Brian and the MassDevice team to develop the Mass Device Big 100 from a local 2-hour panel discussion to a national 2-day executive event including seminars and a VIP dinner co-hosted by AdvaMed and J29 Associates. Rebranded “Device Talks”, this conversation among leaders became one of the most recognized gatherings of medical device CEO’s. We held it 3 times each year in the MedTech hubs of Boston, MA; Irvine, CA, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN., Device Talks featured the most prominent pioneers discussing the most cutting-edge trends and developments in real time*.

The conversation continues

In 2015, Brian Johnson led Mass Device through an acquisition by WTWH Media, with Device Talks as its flagship branded event. In 2018, Brian was named president of the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC), where he continues to lead with strategic vision while continuing the conversation he started with Mass Device – Device Talks.

*Guests included:

  • Robert Grant, Chairman, StrathspeyCrown
  • Joe Kiani, CEO, Masimo
  • Mike Mahoney, President, Boston Scientific
  • Mike Minogue, CEO, Abiomed
  • Mike Mussallem, CEO, Edwards Lifesciences
  • Rick Packer, CEO, Zoll Medical
  • David Pyott, CEO, Allergan
  • Debra Rectenwald, President, 3M Infection Prevention
  • Manny Villafana, Founder, St. Jude Medical
  • Robert Grant, Chairman, StrathspeyCrown
  • Joe Kiani, CEO, Masimo
  • Mike Mahoney, President, Boston Scientific
  • Mike Minogue, CEO, Abiomed
  • Mike Mussallem, CEO, Edwards Lifesciences
  • Rick Packer, CEO, Zoll Medical
  • David Pyott, CEO, Allergan
  • Debra Rectenwald, President, 3M Infection Prevention
  • Manny Villafana, Founder, St. Jude Medical

Not content with the status quo?

Jackie Gonzalez

CEO of J29 Associates

Jackie Gonzalez is the CEO of J29 Associates, a strategy consulting firm in Southlake, Texas with more than 20 years of VP/C-level experience in corporate sales, marketing, management and business and organizational development. She credits her “up through the ranks” success to the ability to lead teams and turnarounds while cultivating an environment of breakthrough performance. 

Working with CEOs and senior executives, Jackie has developed sophisticated solutions to business challenges in a wide range of industries from medical devices to creative agencies. She orchestrates collisions between right and left brainers at every opportunity, consulting with Fortune 100 companies including American Express, Allergan, Marriott International, and Pfizer; government agencies including the USDA and the United States Institute of Peace, and associations such as AdvaMed and MassDevice.

Jackie Gonzalez is a Public Speaker on Improving Company Culture