Gary Blackford

Gary D.
Blackford is Chairman at Avanos Medical, Inc. since 2020, Vice Chairman at Lifespace Communities, Inc. since 2024, and Lead Independent Director at ReShape Weightloss, Inc. since 2017.
Former roles include Chief Executive Officer at Curative Health Services, Inc. (2001–2002), Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer at Agiliti Health, Inc. (2002–2015), Chief Executive Officer at ShopforSchool, Inc. (1999–2001), Director at Compex Technologies, Inc. (2005–2006), Independent Director at Wright Medical Group, Inc. (2011–2015), Lead Director at Obalon Therapeutics, Inc., Director at Pipeline Health Holdings LLC (2016–2020), Director at Children's Health Care (2017–2020), Independent Director at EnteroMedics, Inc., Director at The Wright Legacy Group LLC, Independent Non-Executive Director at Wright Medical Group NV (2008–2020), Director at Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota (2021–2023), Lead Independent Director at ReShape Lifesciences, Inc. (2019–2025), Chief Operating & Financial Officer at Medintel Systems Corp.
(1993–1994), and Chief Operating Officer at Valuerx, Inc. (1995–1998).
Education includes a graduate degree from Creighton University (1982) and an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa (1979).