Boston Micro Fabrication plans leadership changes

Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) says CEO John Kawola will step down as the medtech supplier’s leader in connection with the promotions of two other leaders effective July 1.

Kawola will become a strategic advisor of the microscale 3D printing company (incorporated as BMF Precision) while Bryan Ferrand will become president and Donna Kelly will serve as chief operating officer.

“BMF is a remarkable company with exceptional technology, a strong team, and a bright future,” Kawola said in a news release. “I have tremendous confidence in Bryan, Donna, and the broader leadership team as they guide the company forward. I will plan to remain a long-term adviser to the leadership team and a strong believer in BMF and its continued success.”

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Maynard, Massachusetts-based BMF said the changes are “designed to support the company’s next phase of growth and execution” and that Kowala’s focus will be “supporting the leadership team and the company’s long-term direction” in his new advisory role.

“John has been a tremendous partner to me and has helped us build BMF from the ground up.  He has also built a strong team that is able to step up and bring BMF to the next level,” BMF co-founder and Chair Xioaning He said in the release.

Ferrand lists his most recent position with BMF as sales director of EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) on LinkedIn, where he describes himself as a ” seasoned technical sales professional and effective leader delivering continuous sales growth” with more than 24 years of experience in the 24 successful years in additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, 3D printing/scanning and machine tool industries.

Before joining BMF in 2019, Ferrand was VP of global sales and services at Mcor Technologies and later served as chief revenue officer until the 3D printing company’s IP and assets sold to CleanGreen3d.

Kelly is currently director of operations at BMF, according to her LinkedIn, where she describes herself as the “primary liaison for BMF’s U.S. and European groups including BMF’s UltraThineer division.” She was previously operations director at 3D printing equipment manufacturer UltiMaker.

In a LinkedIn post, Kawola offer his “heartfelt congratulations to Bryan, Donna, and the rest of the team.

“People often use the cliché, ‘I’ll be applauding loudly from the sidelines,'” he continued. “As an advisor to BMF, I see my role as more like being on the bench with towels and water bottles ready — close to the action and supporting the team as they keep pushing forward.”