John DeFord, PhD

Dr. DeFord is the chairman, chief executive officer and president of privately-held, South Carolina-based Samothrace Medical Innovations, Inc., which he co-founded in March 2022. Until his retirement in May 2021, Dr. DeFord was the executive vice president and chief technology officer of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (BDX), a global medical technology company, which he joined in December 2017 in connection with its acquisition of C.R. Bard, where he served as senior vice president, science, technology and clinical affairs since June 2007. Dr. DeFord joined Bard in 2004 and served in science and technology roles of increasing responsibility during that time. Prior to joining Bard, Dr. DeFord was managing director of Early Stage Partners, a venture capital fund. Before Early Stage Partners, Dr. DeFord was president and chief executive officer of Cook Incorporated, a privately held medical device manufacturer. He also serves on the board of directors of Nordson Corporation (NDSN), NuVasive (NUVA), Enable Injections, Inc., Blue Spark, Inc. and GeniPhys, Inc. DeFord graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in electrical/biomedical engineering.