Management Team
Christopher A. DeNicola – President and Chief Executive Officer
Chris was named President and Chief Executive Officer in January of 2025, tasked with overseeing both strategic and operational focus as Precision continues to innovate and grow in the development of a high-quality, comprehensive, cost-effective product portfolio of advanced devices used by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons to improve the quality of life for patients affected by spinal disorders.
Over the course of his career, Chris has held positions in sales and sales training, marketing, administration and operations, serving in senior executive positions for such industry leaders as Biomet/EBI, Small Bone Innovations and Scient’x, experience which has provided him the ability to confront and successfully adjust to a variety of challenges. This has included building and directing both distributor and direct sales organizations, planning and executing the acquisition and integration of product portfolios and sales personnel of multiple companies into a single entity, designing and implementing training and compensation programs, portfolio rationalization and implementation of a great number of successful commercial product launches.
Chris joined Precision Spine in October 2013, as Vice President Global Sales. He became Executive Vice President of Operations in September 2015 to focus on the planning and operational direction of all departments, in support of the Company’s strategic growth plan. He was named Chief Operating Officer in June 2016, to position the Company for its next phase of strong growth, while continuing to implement and monitor effective systems and procedures designed to expand excellence and efficiency throughout all phases of manufacturing, distribution and product development.Jay Penchina – Chief Financial Officer
Prior to joining Precision Spine, Jay spent more than ten years with Biomet. He held the position of General Manager for several key business units including Bone Growth Stimulation ($150 million), Osteobiologics ($30 million) and Pain Management ($1.5 million). In his capacity Jay had responsibility and cross-functional oversight for the business units. During his tenure, he effected consistent revenue growth in each of his assigned product divisions, as well as introducing significant process improvements that increased profitability for the brands and the company. Jay successfully commercialized the company's first portfolio of pain management products and orchestrated Osteobiologic and next generation Bone Growth Stimulation product line extensions.
Jay also spent over 15 years with Biolectron®, Inc. (acquired by Biomet in 2000), most recently as CFO, while also holding the positions of VP of Finance and Chief Compliance Officer.
Jay brings to Precision Spine a proven track record of optimizing product portfolios by identifying and executing go-to market strategies that attained or exceeded corporate growth and financial objectives. He has over 30 years of background in general management, finance, sales, marketing, product development and operations.
Jay is a CPA in NJ, and holds a BS in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickenson University.
Joe DeLuca – Sr. VP of Marketing and Product Development
Prior to Precision Spine, Joe served as VP Domestic Sales for Spinal USA. Joe spent over ten years with EBI (a division of Biomet, Inc.) where he served as General Manager of both the Surgical Navigation and Sports Medicine Divisions. In this capacity, Joe was responsible for all sales and marketing activities, and was instrumental in building the Sports Medicine Division for EBI to over $85 million in annual sales revenue during his tenure.
Joe has over 25 years of experience in Sales, Product Development and Marketing in the medical device arena, having worked with J&J Orthopedics, Aesculap® and more recently, Orthofix® Spine.
Joe received a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland.
Steve Lubischer – Vice President, Business Development
Steve joined Precision Spine in 2017 as VP of Professional Relations. He was promoted to VP of Global Sales in July 2018, and recently ascended to the position of Vice President of Business Development. In his new role Steve will be concentrating on key strategic accounts and new company initiatives.
Steve has more than 30 years of medical sales experience, including over 20 years in spine and orthopedic sales management, holding positions ranging from Sales, Sales Management and Executive Sales Management with J&J, Interpore, Bionx, Interpore Cross, EBI and Alphatec Spine.
Mike Albert – Vice President Operations and General Manager
Mike joined Precision Spine in 2012 as Sr. Manufacturing Manager, before being promoted to Director of Manufacturing in 2014 and most recently to General Manager.
Before joining Precision Spine, he spent over five years with Biomet, Inc. and seven years with Zimmer, Inc., holding various management level positions including Business Unit Manager over Extremities, Hip and Knee Reconstructive Products.
With over 20 years of manufacturing management experience in the medical device industry, Mike brings to the company the skills needed to help take Precision to the next level and beyond.
Mike holds a Bachelors degree in Management from the Indiana Institute of Technology.
Michael Dawson – General Counsel/VP Regulatory Affairs & Chief Compliance Officer
Mike joined Precision Spine in 2013 as a legal consultant. He was named the company’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Deputy General Counsel in early 2014. Mike acts as an integral member of cross-functional teams responsible for strategic development and risk assessment of operational activities, in addition to establishing regulatory strategy for developing documentation and labeling for regulatory authority review and approval. Mike also counsels on the legal aspects of strategic and major business initiatives and decisions of importance to the company, including the negotiation and structure of contracts and various commercial agreements. In addition, he assists in protecting the company’s IP portfolio, including patents and trademarks.
Prior to joining Precision Spine, Mike was engaged in the private practice of law for over 15 years, focusing primarily on activities that included litigation, regulatory and compliance. Mike earned his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and an Accounting degree from the University of the District of Columbia.
Jennifer Stewart – Vice President of Human Resources
Jennifer joined Precision Spine in 2015 and continues to play an integral role in the recruitment and retention of the key team members who govern Precision Spine’s organizational development. She is a tireless supporter of the health and well-being of our team members and an advocate for the development of its individuals. Recognizing the needs of the individual, while at the same time the requirements of the company, she possesses a keen ability to serve both needs, bringing reason, experience and creativity to the fore. She is insightful in the areas of Organizational Design, Process Enhancement and Measurement, with over 25 years of HR experience.
Jennifer holds a B.S.E. degree in Human Resource & Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas and SHRM-CP from the Society of Human Resource Professionals. She serves on the board of directors for the Central Area HR Association, is 2024 Past Chapter President and current Secretary/Treasurer for Mississippi State Council for SHRM.
Rich Cuellar – VP Sales Operations
Rich joined Precision Spine in June of 2017 and has held positions within the company ranging from Regional Vice President, Western VP Sales, National Sales Manager and was promoted to Vice President of Sales Operations in January of 2024.
Rich brings to Precision Spine more than 25 years of medical sales experience and more than 10 years of Clinical experience, including over 18 years in spine and orthopedic sales management. Rich has held positions ranging from Sales, Sales Management and Executive Sales Management with Interpore Cross International, EBI Spine, Biomet Spine, and most recently, Alphatec Spine, where he spent 10 years as Regional Vice President of Sales.
Rich is a US Navy Veteran and attended the University of New Mexico.
Michael Campbell – Vice President, Engineering
Michael joined Precision Spine in March of 2011 charged with leading the design and development of the company’s next generation Degenerative and Deformity Pedicle Screw Systems. Since that time, he’s been instrumental in leading our aggressive product portfolio expansion and supporting product innovation.
Michael brings over 20 years of Spine and Orthopaedic Product Design & Development experience and holds several industry patents. Prior to joining Precision spine, Michael served as the Director of Engineering for EnHatch Orthopaedics and managed the design and development of multiple product lines for Tornier and Stryker Orthopaedics.
Michael holds his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
Rob Gabriele – Controller
Prior to joining Precision Spine, Rob spent 18 months consulting for various organizations in the fields of finance and accounting. This followed a 26 year career with EBI, a Biomet company, where he held numerous positions within the Finance and Accounting organizations, including, most recently, Finance Director.
With over 30 years of experience in accounting, finance and taxation, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge and business acumen to Precision Spine.
Rob holds a BS degree from Montclair State University and is a CPA in New Jersey.