[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16168-16169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING GARY ELLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIK PAULSEN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Mr. Gary Ellis. Mr. Ellis is retiring from medical 
technology leader Medtronic this month after 27 years of service, 
including 11 years as the company's chief financial officer.
  Mr. Ellis's leadership and vision dramatically contributed to 
Medtronic's financial well-being and the well-being of thousands of 
Medtronic employees. During his tenure with the company, Medtronic's 
revenue increased from $837 million in 1989 to $28.8 billion in 2016, a 
34 times increase. Importantly, he helped oversee the growth of the 
company from approximately 7,000 employees in 1989 to more than 88,000 
employees today. Mr. Ellis is known for his sound advice, mentorship 
and positive outlook, and has provided honest and insightful counsel to 
the Medtronic Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, his 
peers and his team.
  Importantly, as part of Medtronic's Mission to alleviate pain, 
restore health and extend life for people around the world, the 
company's impact on people's lives grew exponentially during Mr. 
Ellis's leadership. In 2005, when Mr. Ellis became chief financial 
officer, the company proudly improved the life of someone every 6 
seconds. Today, as a result of strong leadership, growth and 
innovation, Medtronic technology improves the lives of two people every 
single second, or more than 65 million people per year.
  In addition, Mr. Ellis has demonstrated his commitment and passion 
for community through philanthropic activities and Board service, 
including service as Chairman of the American Heart Association Board 
in 2007 through 2008, as well as dedicated service on the boards of the 
Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Science Museum of Minnesota. He 
has also played an active leadership role and contributed many years of 
Board service to his local church.
  Prior to joining Medtronic in 1989, Mr. Ellis was a senior audit 
manager for Price Waterhouse, where, in addition to several other 
responsibilities, he managed the Medtronic audit for nearly 10 years. 
He

[[Page 16169]]

worked with several large corporate organizations, as well as providing 
audit services to numerous non-profit organizations.
  Mr. Ellis grew up on a farm in Sac City, Iowa, and originally aspired 
to be a math teacher. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 
accounting in 1978 from the University of South Dakota. Above all, Mr. 
Ellis is a family man, who cherishes spending time at the lake with his 
wife, Sue, their two children, and five grandchildren. Though his 
leadership will be sincerely missed, I wish him the best in his 
retirement and thank him for everything he has done within the business 
community and within the Twin Cities community.

                          ____________________