RDI’S Trowbridge names new leadership

FOLEY, Ala. - Respiratory Distributors in August bolstered its front office by hiring three new executives, a move President Keith Trowbridge said will abet the company's efforts to spur growth. Chris Lemley joins RDI as the new vice president of national accounts. He previously worked as the corporate accounts manager at Home Diagnostics Incorporated and also spent six years as the national sales manager for Letco Medical. “Medicare is a very important part of what we all do these days,” said Trowbridge in an interview with HME News, “and [Lemley's] vast experience should contribute strongly to the future success of RDI.” Mary Jo Thiboult was also hired as the corporate compliance officer and vice president of operations. Laurie Cairns is RDI's new director of marketing. These hirings come on the heels of Trowbridge's own move to RDI in June. He formerly was the president of Liberty Medical Supply. “[Sun Capital's] mandate is to grow the size of the companies that they invest in,” said Trowbridge. “My task, when I was brought in, was to look around and see how we can grow the business quickly and responsibly, and I think that the staff we brought in will help do that.” Sun Capital is a private investment firm that acquired RDI in early 2004. To promote growth, Trowbridge said RDI is fleshing out several new programs and services to possibly replace its Core programs. The upcoming changes are expected to take RDI's revenues to more than $100 million over the next three to five years, said Trowbridge. “It's going to be a real challenge given the market, but I think we are up for it. The people here have a background for rapid growth and success, and I think with the skills sets we have brought together we have a real chance of doing it,” he said.