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Jerry McGinnis founded Respironics in 1976. He served as president and chief executive officer of the company for 18 years until elected to chairman in November 1994. Prior to his involvement with Respironics, McGinnis worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 11 years where he participated in a variety of health related projects. While serving as the manager of the Bioengineering Department, he also was involved in projects that included the artificial heart, heart-assist devices, and the sensing and monitoring equipment for the measurement of blood and respiratory gases. Following his service at Westinghouse, McGinnis worked at Allegheny General Hospital (1969-1971) where he was head of the Surgical Research Department. In 1971, McGinnis founded his first company - Lanz Medical Products. Simultaneous to his work at Lanz, McGinnis served in the Critical Care Department at the Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh, where his work focused on methods of increasing applications of technology in critical care. McGinnis has served on the board of Vascor, Inc., Pyramid Composites Manufacturing, and the Center for Young Musicians. McGinnis also has served as chairman at Point Park College, the Institute of Advanced Technology at Community College of Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Enterprise Council, the United Way of Westmoreland County, the Junior Achievement of Southwest Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh World Affairs Council and the Pittsburgh Symphony Association. Additionally, McGinnis is on the University of Pittsburgh’s Engineering Departments and the University of Illinois, Board of Visitors. McGinnis also has completed internationally published writings. His work includes authoring and co-authoring a number of scientific papers, as well as authoring a chapter of a book on airway care. He holds more than 15 registered U.S. patents, and also has worked on the design and development of many Respironics' products. McGinnis earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in the same discipline from the University of Pittsburgh. | 