About

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Nick Cordaro
Chief Executive Officer

Nick’s career passion for over 20 years has been achieving commercialization of patient-focused medical devices through sound biomedical engineering and strong, ethical leadership.  After two highly dynamic and educational career opportunities, he was hired on as part of the SeaSpine, Inc. startup team and co-built the company from the ground up. Through leading multiple teams in expansive and successful medical device commercialization efforts, SeaSpine achieved $50 million in annual revenue before it was purchased by Integra Lifesciences in 2011. 

After leading Product Development at Integra for several more years, Nick founded Additive Innovations in 2014 with the mission of medical innovation focused on additive manufacturing.  Impressed by Nick’s talent and his company’s rapid success, Watershed acquired Additive Innovations in 2017 and named Nick CEO.

Nick has a long history of leading successful biomedical product design and commercialization engineering teams. Throughout his career, he has established the foundation for, fully developed, maintained, and/or decommissioned more that 30 spinal systems, including pedicle screw systems, interbodies, plates, and artificial discs. He has over 20 issued US patents & nearly 100 international applications and issued patents, which have generated in excess of $0.5 Billion (USD) of commercial product sales.

Education
M.S. Biomedical Engineering – University of Arizona
B.S. Mechanical Engineering – New Mexico State University

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Jeff Brittan
Vice President of Product Realization

Jeff has focused 20 years of industry experience on developing and commercializing medical implant systems for a wide range of procedures. After beginning his career developing tissue-engineered neurosurgical devices, he transitioned to the Spine sector and built expertise over 14 years in both product engineering and group leadership roles. In addition to engineering, Jeff cultivated a full compliment of capabilities required to bring products from concept through full commercial use. In 2018 he seized the opportunity to join Watershed and leverage his cross-functional skill set to continue expanding their product realization efficiencies. Accomplishments include:     

• Developed/optimized over 30 medical implant products for numerous clinical applications
• Including 13 lumbar interbody fusion systems
• Inventor on ALIF implant patent that has yielded >$100 Million (USD) in commercial product sales
• Cleared 30+ 510(k) submissions through FDA
• Decreased product development cycle times by 30%

Education
M.S. Biomechanical Engineering – Stanford University
B.S. Bioengineering – University of California, San Diego

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Jim Steele, CQM, CQE, CRE, CQA & Black Belt
Vice President of Quality & Compliance

Jim’s focus for over 35 years has been on international manufacturing for companies such as Stryker, Medtronic, Motorola, DEC and General Dynamics. His technical experience includes medical device, additive manufacturing, semiconductors, electronics, and aerospace. Led reliability/quality assurance, product/process design & development, manufacturing engineering and operations organizations. After 5 years in consulting, Jim joined Watershed in 2017 to lead their QA and manufacturing design consulting services. Accomplishments include:

• Implemented robust design control, risk management and quality management systems for international and client companies
• Managed 100+ product and process characterizations/validations
• Specialization in Corrective/Preventive Action (CAPA), Internal/External Auditing, Design Controls, Risk Management, Statistical Process Control, Supplier Assurance, Product/Process Validation, Six Sigma, Quality Systems and FDA QSR/ISO Regulations

Education
M.S. Materials Science – University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S. Mechanical Engineering – San Diego State University
Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs – University of South Florida