Howard Leonhardt – Chairman & Chief Technology Officer

Howard J. Leonhardt, Chairman of the Board, Chief Technology Officer, MyoStim Pacers, Inc. & Chief Technology Officer, Chairman of the Scientific Board and Board Director, Bioheart, Inc. – An inventor and serial entrepreneur with over 20 patents for products for treating cardiovascular and heart disease. His TALENT stent graft for aortic aneurysm repair has treated over 120,000 patients worldwide since it’s introduction in 1994 and holds a world leading market share today as part of Medtronic Vascular. In 1983 Leonhardt was Export Sales Manager, and the first founding employee, of American General Medical Corporation in Hardeeville, SC that built and supplied cardiac cath labs and intensive care units in foreign markets. In late 1984 he joined IMA Medical Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as VP of International Sales. In early 1986 he founded World Medical Corporation a firm which helped manufacturers of cardiovascular devices to reach export markets. In 1988 he invented an improved cardiovascular balloon catheter and founded World Medical Manufacturing Corporation in Sunrise, Florida, that went on to develop over a dozen cardiovascular products including the TALENT stent graft for repairing aortic aneuryms without surgery, the first percutaneous heart valve and the first stem cell delivery catheter systems ProCell. The firm grew from just 2 employees to over 500 and merged with Arterial Vascular Engineering of Santa Rosa, California in April of 1998. In November of 1998 the combined firms were acquired by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Leonhardt served as President & CEO of World Medical Mfg. Corp. from 1988 until June of 1999. From November 1998 to June 1999 he duly held the position of Vice President of Emerging New Therapies at Medtronic, Inc. In June 1999 Leonhardt founded Bioheart, Inc. with a focus on utilizing living cells for cardiovasular and heart repair and personalized medical treatment. Leonhardt served as Executive Chairman and CEO up to Bioheart’s IPO road show in 2007. He has since served as Chief Technology Officer, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board and as a member of the board of directors. Bioheart pioneered the introduction of the Pla2 genetic test to guide anti-blood clotting therapies in 2000. Bioheart has developed MyoCell and MyoCell SDF-1 for treating heart failure, the BioPace biological pacemaker, AortaCell aortic aneuerysm repair with cells, MyoValve heart valve repair with cells, EndoCell blood vessel repair with cells, HePoc heart pump on a catheter, LVSens implantable heart sensor, MyoStim Heart Repairing Electronic Pacemakers, and LipoCell for treating ischemia of the heart and legs. Many of these developments are based on Leonhardt’s patented inventions or on patents he licensed. As Bioheart’s CTO he is helping BIoheart to get license fees and partnerships to develop it’s non-core technologies. MyoCell has advanced to Phase II/III clinical trials at 33 leading heart failure centers in the USA. MyoCell positive results have been published in numerous peer reviewed journals since clinical trials began in early 2001. As Chairman & CTO of MyoStim Pacers Leonhardt is advancing forward electrical stimulation technology that complements Bioheart’s cell transplantation platform. MyoStim feeds royalty and milestone payments to Bioheart, Inc. by agreement. Leonhardt serves on various boards including the Cell Therapy Foundation. He holds a degree diploma in International Trade from Anoka Technical College in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota and Anoka Ramsey Community College. He has an honorary Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Northern California, and is an honorary alumnus of both the University of Florida and Florida International University where he has been a substantial contributor to their entrepreneurship programs. He also is a delegate to the White House StartUp America Partnership fostering entrepreneurship.

Brian Hardy –  Marketing Communications
Mr. Hardy is a life long entrepreneur. Starting his first design and marketing company at the age of 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has founded many businesses over the years including a trade show exhibit house creating custom exhibits for clients such as the United States Army, M & I Bank, Interactive Toys and many others. From 2005-2008 he owned & operated a full service sign company, creating custom signs for companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Pita PIt, and Green Mountain Coffee. In 2008, he founded 4ColorFlyers.com. A fully-automated process allowing clients to track the progress of their print projects. 4 Color Flyers also does a wide variety of web design for clients such as LeonhardtVentures.com, CalStockExchange.com, HayleyBear.com, and LeonhardtVineyards.com. Mr. Hardy has over 13 years experience in graphic design, web design, and marketing industry.