ImPACT Applications announces senior leadership changes
Company plans further growth in concussion management products, training and partnerships
ImPACT Applications, Inc., developers of ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), today announced that Michael Wahlster has been named Chief Executive Officer and appointed as a member of the Board of Directors; and that Dr. Mark Lovell, former C.E.O. and a co-founder of the company, is now Chief Scientific Officer and remains Chairman of the ImPACT Board of Directors.
The management changes allow for Wahlster, an attorney and successful online entrepreneur who has served as outside general counsel to ImPACT for several years, and Lovell, a neuropsychologist and scientific leader in concussion management, to focus on their respective areas of expertise in support of continued growth for the company.
“As a pioneer and leading expert, Mark’s new role enables him to focus his attention to advance the science of concussion management through further research and industry collaboration. This passion was the impetuous for creating the ImPACT test and ultimately, the company more than a decade ago,” said Wahlster. “Mark’s continued scientific work will benefit both ImPACT and the global field of study.”
Wahlster brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and technology experience to ImPACT as the company continues to experience dramatic growth and expand its products, training and partnerships. In the past month, ImPACT has introduced three new mobile apps, its new ITAT (ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer) program and a partnership with Sway Medical, LLC. Numerous plans are underway for additional initiatives, reinforcing ImPACT’s position as the industry leader in concussion management tools, technology and training.
“As general counsel, Mike has been deeply involved with ImPACT for the past eight years. His guidance has been instrumental to our company’s growth,” noted Lovell. “Through his career as an attorney representing software and biotech companies and his experience with ImPACT, Mike has demonstrated he has the vision and business acumen to lead the company into the future. It was a natural fit to ask him to serve in this role.”
In his most recent position as founder and President of Juris Venture, P.C., a San Diego based law firm, Wahlster served clients in financing transactions, intellectual property licensing and mergers and acquisitions. At Juris Venture, he served as outside general counsel to a host of small to medium-sized private companies – including ImPACT – and investors, corporate partners, and boards of directors. As an entrepreneur, Wahlster is a co-founder of BikeBandit.com, one of the world’s largest e-commerce powersports retailers. Previously, Wahlster was an associate attorney in Pittsburgh offices of Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Wahlster earned his Juris Doctorate, summa cum laude, from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law of Cleveland State University where he also completed a judicial externship with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Wahlster graduated magna cum laude from the Honors College of the University of Pittsburgh with a B.Phil. in United States history and with a Master of Arts, also from the University of Pittsburgh, in United States history.
Mark R. Lovell, Ph.D., is internationally recognized as a concussion expert for his development of innovative neurocognitive testing programs and ground breaking research. Previously, Dr. Lovell served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ImPACT Applications from 2002 through 2013. In 2000 Dr. Lovell became the founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Until his retirement from clinical practice in 2011, Dr. Lovell directed the UPMC program, which has been regarded as the first and largest program of its kind.
As a leading researcher, Dr. Lovell has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, authored or co-authored nine textbooks and written over 40 book chapters. Dr. Lovell’s contributions to the neuropsychological community have allowed him to be a frequent presenter at professional meetings internationally and the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards internationally.