Cook Group Names New Vice President-Chief Information Officer and New President for Cook Urological.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Chuck Franz, who had been dividing his time between serving as president of Cook Urological and coordinating Cook's global information technology integration efforts, will return to Cook Group fulltime as vice president-chief information officer, company officials announced today. To fill the vacancy created by Franz's departure, Pete Yonkman, chief corporate counsel and vice president for Asian operations for Cook Group Incorporated, has accepted the position of president, Cook Urological Inc. Both promotions become effective immediately.

"This is one of the most exciting times in the history of Cook Group, and I'm thrilled to have two such capable, experienced executives accept these vital and challenging roles," said Cook Group President Kem Hawkins. "Both men have contributed to Cook's growing success here and abroad, and each will now have the opportunity to take even greater leadership roles within our company."

Franz joined the Cook organization more than two decades ago working in information technology at Cook Incorporated.

"Chuck has been a valuable leader for Cook Urological, demonstrating consistent sales growth, bringing vital new medical technology to the market and ensuring our products meet the needs of the most demanding physicians and the patients who depend on them," Hawkins added. "Chuck's strong leadership has brought Cook Urological to its current level of success, and we're all very excited that he's bringing those skills to Cook Group as we initiate global changes linking IT operations throughout the Cook organization."

"With Cook Group's global network nearing completion, it is now time to utilize the infrastructure to execute some key operational initiatives," said Franz in explaining his decision to return to his IT responsibilities fulltime. On the selection of his successor, Franz had this to say: "Pete's proven leadership skills are of extreme benefit to Cook Urological and also strengthens the Urology and OB/GYN Strategic Business Units."

Yonkman, who joined Cook Inc. in 2001 as corporate counsel and manager of Cook's patent office, will retain his legal position while assuming his new duties. "With his legal background and the medical device experience he has gained working with all Cook Group companies, Pete brings a wealth of knowledge and support to Cook Urological and its strategic business units," Hawkins said.

"Under Chuck's leadership, Cook Urological has become a global leader in devices for urological, OB/GYN and IVF procedures. I look forward to helping continue the growth and momentum he helped the company establish," Yonkman said of his new position.

The world's largest privately held manufacturer of medical devices with international headquarters in Bloomington, Ind., COOK(R) (www.cookmedical.com/) is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for drug-eluting and bare metal stents, aortic and vascular endografts, catheters, wire guides, introducer needles and sheaths, embolization coils, medical biomaterials, vena cava filters and other minimally invasive medical devices for radiology, cardiology, urology and Ob/Gyn, critical care medicine, surgery, gastroenterology, bone access and endovascular therapies.