Kevin Semcken, Chairman and CEO
Kevin Semcken is Chairman and CEO of Able Planet Incorporated. Mr. Semcken has an extensive knowledge in identifying, funding and developing early stage companies. Over the past 30 years, he has led the development and commercialization of a wide variety of new technologies, many of which have become the standard of care, worldwide.
Prior to joining Able Planet, he was President & CEO of HealthTek Ventures, a health care technology development company that restricts funding to early stage ventures that can be actively managed by Mr. Semcken, and his team.
He has served on the board of several start-ups and has led several companies to substantial investor exits.
Beginning his career in Sales and Marketing in 1981, Mr. Semcken has a history of success in companies ranging from $B market leaders to early stage ventures. Since founding HealthTek Ventures in 1994, Mr. Semcken has served as President & CEO of Genesis Medical Interventional, President & COO of Medical Dynamics, Executive Vice President of San Francisco Science, President of UltraGuide Inc., and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for NeoVision Corporation. In addition, Mr. Semcken has consulted for numerous healthcare companies, including Creos Corporation, Nexcura, US Medical Corporation, MedDetect Corporation (Lockheed Martin), and US Surgical Corporation (TYCO), and he is an advisor to CTEK, a Colorado Technology Incubator.
Prior to HealthTek Ventures, Mr. Semcken had a distinguished career in a variety of Sales & Marketing roles and served as Vice President Sales & Marketing for Fischer Imaging Corporation where he turned around company sales leading to a successful IPO.
Dr. Christopher Schweitzer, Chief Auditory Scientist and Director of Hearing Health
Dr. Christopher Schweitzer received his Ph.D. in Auditory Sciences from the University of Maryland. In addition to a long career in hearing aid research and graduate level teaching, he has extensive experience in the hearing aid industry. This includes serving as Chief of Audiology and co-founder of Audiologic, Inc of Boulder which developed one of the first commercial digital hearing aid systems.
He served on the American National Standards Institute committee on hearing aids, and is past Chairman of the Probe Microphone committee. A previously elected Member of the Executive Board of the American Auditory Society, Dr. Schweitzer has published and lectured extensively in areas of amplification and rehabilitation. He continues to serve as Chairman and Senior Audiologist for the Family Hearing Centers of Colorado.
Baird Little, Vice President – Product Development
Baird Little is a seasoned Retail Executive with expertise in Merchandising, Marketing and Overseas Product Development. Over the past 20 years he has held senior level positions in Manufacturing and Retail Merchandising. Baird is a strong leader with a proven track record of building Innovative Products and Brands.
Prior to joining Able Planet, he was Senior Merchandise Director of Technology at Brookstone.
Mr. Little’s career started with Toys “R” Us in 1990. During his time at TRU he held positions in Store Operations, Planning, Buying and Product Development. Over 8 years Baird helped drive many of TRU’s largest business segments (Preschool Toy, Learning, Books R Us and Video Games). He finished off his time in Product Development where he was responsible for 16 of the companies Private Label Brands. In 1998 Baird joined Pyramid Accessories where he directed the Lucasfilm (Star Wars) Brand. In 2000 Baird joined the specialty Retailer Brookstone. Over the next 10 years he held senior level positions in Merchandising across virtually all of Brookstone’s divisions. During his last 3 years at Brookstone Baird was the catalyst for technology expansion, ensuring the companies leadership position in this dynamic market. As Vice President of Product Development, Baird works closely with the management team to continue the expansion of Able Planet’s portfolio of industry leading products and patented technologies.