Wrote an insider's story of two exceptional leaders who inspired their organizations to achieve what most thought impossible. If you want to understand the secret sauce to excellent performance, read Commanding Excellence. Find out more at https://igarymorton.com

General Manager of the EMS Equipment Business for Stryker. Co-founded EMS as a product line leading an intrapenurial effort in 1992-1994. Led all aspects of the business operations since '99. Following our 1994 launch, sales growth has been consistently over 20% for 15 years and dramatically better than the EMS equipment market during all years including those since the financial crisis. Stryker EMS is widely regarded as an innovator with breakthrough products that have reshaped patient handling in the Global EMS market. Products developed and launched won multiple national innovation and design awards. Business results are consistently the best amongst competitive peer companies. Grew from 0 to 70%+ share in the US and expanded globally beginning in 2000 growing to be the pre-hospital patient handling leader in multiple countries throughout the world.

Led Design, Quality, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering teams in the creation and improvement of steel, aluminum, and composite mechanical, electro-mechanical hospital, and electronic and pre-hospital patient handling equipment. This included oversight of manufacturing machinery, manufacturing processes, and plant operations. Created an environment of innovation in which teams invented several significant breakthrough designs for patient handling devices including the world's first motorized hospital bed; first "big-wheel" mobility for hospital stretchers; glideaway rails for stretchers; specilaized products for OB/GYN, Fluoroscopy, and eye surgery; enhanced bed-exit monitoring systems for beds, and more.

Engineering leader for Design, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering first for the Patient Handling then the Patient Care Divisions. Led teams in the invention, creation, improvement, and manufacturing of hospital and pre-hospital patient handling products. Led a multi-disciplinary effort to research and justify internal new business development opportunities. Launched the RUGGED EMS line in 1994. Led teams that launched 67 new products or significant product improvements.

Led multi-disciplinary teams in the creation, improvement, cost reduction, and design of hospital patient handling equipment. Had the opportunity to lead the transformation of a WWII era manufacturer into the modern age. Led the introduction of CNC machining (VMC, HMC, Long Bed), lathe, tube bending; sheet metal manufacturing (turret, laser, press brake, etc), robotic welding, powder coating, SMED, and cellular manufacturing into the plant. Led multiple cost reduction teams that with an integrated design, manufucturing, supplier, and labor focus removed over 40% from product end costs adding 18% to divisional operating margins.

Managed new weapon system and other critical equipment fielding to units throughout the 4th ID. Chosen as program manager for the M1 Abrams tank integration, a job filled by officers 10-15 years senior to me at other divisions.

Junior leader in an extraordinary unit that achieved unprecedented results at the US Army’s grueling National Training Center—the only unit to ever win every simulated battle it fought.