Cook Medical promotes Thomas to vp status.

Barry Thomas, who has served as global leader of Cook Medicars Aortic Intervention strategic business unit since 2003, recently was promoted to vice president of that division, the company said.

Thomas will help ensure sales of the company's interventional medical products continue to surge in Asian markets, with a focus on quick product approvals..

"As more Asian physicians adopt all minimally invasive medical technologies and more governments recognize the proven cost benefits and quality of life improvements these devices bring, Cook intends to be the market leader in these fields across Asia," said Thomas, who added that he will pursue new initiatives there.