An experienced medical device industry professional with more than 25 years experience. Most recently, Mr. Jenusaitis worked with the venture backed accelerator fund, ConcepTx, identifying unmet clinical opportunities and developing new technologies and companies.
Prior to ConcepTx, Matthew was the President of ev3 Neurovasuclar and led the growing division (formerly MicroTherapeutics Inc., now a wholly-owned company subsidiary) to a doubling of their annual revenues. This was accomplished through organizational development activities, and by launching and developing markets for a number of products, including the AxiumÒ Embolization Coil and the Onyx® Liquid Embolic System.
Prior to ev3, Matthew spent 15 years at Boston Scientific Corp., where he served in numerous executive marketing and general management positions. His most recent position with Boston Scientific was as the president of the $600 Million Peripheral Interventions Division (formerly Medi-Tech) leading the acquisition and integration of Cryovascular Systems, Inc. and EndoTex, Inc.. Prior to Peripheral Interventions, Matthew led the integration of Interventional Technologies increasing their annual revenues from $25 Million in 2001 to more than $150 Million in 2003. Before that, he held executive marketing and marketing management positions in the Microvasive Endoscopy, International, and Scimed Life Sciences division.
During his career, Matthew also spent 8 years at Baxter healthcare in both marketing and engineering management positions.
Jenusaitis holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering cum laude from Cornell University, a master of science in bio-chemical engineering from Arizona State University and a master of business administration from University of California, Irvine. Matthew’s wife Lara is an assistant professor of anatomy at the University of St. Augustine and an assistant clinical professor of anatomy at the University of California San Diego in both the medical and pharmacy schools. They live with their daughters, Jada and Jenna, in Encinitas, California.
Cynthia Bemis, VP Development
Cynthia Bemis brings experience in marketing, communications and business development to the OCTANe team. A member of the team since January, 2005, Cynthia is responsible for member and sponsor development, strategic communications, and public relations.
Prior to OCTANe, Cynthia spent nearly five years at Ernst & Young in Irvine, California. Most currently she worked as a Marketing Communications Specialist focused on public relations for the Pacific Southwest region, which comprises Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, and Nevada.Prior to that, Cynthia served as a Sales Associate focused on the technology industry in the emerging and growth markets. She worked with Orange County entrepreneurs to help connect them with the right audit, tax and transaction services.
Cynthia has a bachelor's degree in English from Chapman University. Community focused, she sits on the Chapman University Alumni Board and serves on the Signature Events Council. She is the former VP of Communications for the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Public Relations Advisory Board for Chapman University, and the Sales & Marketing Committee of the American Electronics Association (AeA).
Janelle Brunette - Office Manager
Janelle joined the OCTANe team in September of 2008. Her role as Office Manager at OCTANe includes a variety of responsibilities such as program management, membership, and sales and marketing administration.
Prior to joining OCTANe, Janelle was an Executive Assistant at the Yorba Linda/Placentia YMCA. Here she provided administrative support to the Executive Director and the Board of Director members. Responsibilities included coordination and management of board meetings, programs, events, calendars, and finances. During her time here she gained experience in non-profit fundraising, project management, community outreach and communication skills with others at different levels within the organization.
Janelle received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Los Angeles with a double emphasis in Business Law and Marketing. At LMU Janelle was on the Women’s Rowing Team and rowed for the Lions for four years. She was also a four-year NCAA Division I Scholar Athlete and a member of the Marketing Society.
Luis Vasquez – VP LaunchPad
Luis is currently OCTANe's LaunchPad Director. Luis joined OCTANe in 2004 as one of the first team members. Since then he has been responsible for identifying, evaluating, and helping early stage entrepreneurs and start-up companies take advantage of the OCTANe’s resources and network. In this time, Luis has worked with over 100 companies and developed a network of over 200 people who are eager to provide assistance, consulting, capital, expertise, and other resources to help OCTANe LaunchPad companies achieve success. Prior to joining LaunchPad, Luis founded a start-up nanotechnology sensor company to commercialize technology developed at Caltech. He also has extensive experience in defense, industrial, and energy markets. Luis has an MBA from UC Irvine and a BS from UC Riverside.
