Varian Medical Systems

John Seely Brown is a researcher who specializes in organizational studies with a particular bent towards the organizational implications of... computer-supported activities. His research interests include the management of radical innovation, digital culture, ubiquitous computing, autonomous computing and organizational learning. JSB is also the namesake of John Seely Brown Symposium on Technology and Society, held at the University of Michigan School of Information. The first JSB symposium in 2000 featured a lecture by Stanford Professor of Law Lawrence Lessig, titled "Architecting Innovation," and a panel discussion, "The Implications of Open Source Software," featuring Brown, Lessig and the William D. Hamilton Collegiate Professor of Complex Systems at SI, Michael D. Cohen. Subsequent events were held in 2002, 2006 and 2008. Brown graduated from Brown University in 1962 with degrees in physics and mathematics. In 1972 he received a PhD from the University of Michigan in computer and communication sciences.
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Dr. Richard Levy heads Varian Medical Systems, a 1 billion company providing high energy radiation machines and associated hardware and software for... treating cancer, and x-ray tubes for diagnostic radiology.  With over 3,500 radiotherapy systems in place delivering treatments to more than 1,000,000 cancer patients per year, the company holds a clear leadership position in this technology, which is used to treat over 50% of all cancer patients in the U.S.  Varian Medical Systems also ranks as the world’s largest merchant supplier of X-ray tubes, including products for use in CT scanners, mammography units, and other diagnostic systems.   A third segment of the company, the Edward L. Ginzton Technology Center, functions as a Central Research Department and a developer and incubator of promising new businesses in health care technologies.   Varian Medical Systems was formed in April 1999 following the spin-off of the Semiconductor and Instruments businesses from Varian Associates, Inc., a $1.6 billion multi-business company founded in 1948.  The company is traded under the original symbol, VAR, on the New York Stock Exchange.   Dr. Levy joined Varian in 1968 as a regional sales manager and was selected to head the company’s medical activities in 1986.  He was appointed a senior vice president of the corporation in 1989, and during the 1989-1992 period oversaw several other business areas, including Semiconductor Equipment and Vacuum Products.  From 1992 until the time of the spin, Mr. Levy served as an executive vice president of the corporation, with operational responsibilities for the medical businesses and the Ginzton Technology Center.   Dr. Levy’s background is well suited to his demanding role.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley.  He began his business career at the Monsanto Company, where he served as a research specialist and project manager in both basic and applied research.  Within Varian, prior to assuming General Management and CEO duties, he oversaw Sales, Marketing, Service, R&D, and various corporate functions as well as managing the corporate Quality Program.   Dr. Levy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and the Board of Directors of Pharmacyclics, Inc. and AdvaMed .  He is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Electronics Association, America’s largest high-technology trade organization, and he served on the Board of Directors of the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy Systems Division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
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