We are here to provide you with engagement and innovation opportunities to help you achieve your goals of targeting the orthopaedic surgeon and allied profession. We are happy to work with you to provide programs that meet your needs. If you would like to learn more about any program listed on these pages, or have specific needs that you would like to discuss with the AAOS, please contact us through the button at the bottom of this page.
Overview of the AAOS Orthopaedic Community
Meet the Commercial Solutions Team
Ben Harkinson, VP of Commercial Solutions
As VP of Commercial Solutions at the AAOS, I oversee the Academy’s Commercial Solutions efforts and serve as one of our key Corporate Engagement contacts. I joined the Academy in January of 2020 after having spent the previous 15 years in commercial publishing, most recently as Commercial Sales Director at Wolters Kluwer, the global leader in clinical orthopaedics publishing.
I’m a very proud father of three young daughters, and a food evangelist. When I’m not chasing them around the house or doing the majority of the cooking for our family, I look for time to spend with my wood-working power tools, which on occasion has landed me in the ER or the company of a hand surgeon. Clearly, I chose the right profession.
Jeff Hanwell, Director, Business Development
As the Director of Business Development, I collaborate with workgroups across the Academy to develop new programs and opportunities that create additional value for our members. These new programs are developed to address the ever-changing needs of our physician members while creating innovative opportunities for engagement with industry. I have spent over a decade in the orthopaedics industry between roles in medical device sales and sales management in various parts of the United States. Working for both DePuy Synthes and Stryker Orthopaedics fostered not only my interest in orthopaedics, but the business behind it.
Travel is an interest of mine and I enjoy experiencing new places and cultures. I try to travel somewhere new each year.
Angela Buckley, MPA, Business Development Manager
As the Business Development Manager, I am responsible for establishing and maintaining industry relationships to support all grants and associated sponsorships, sponsored market research projects, and innovation programs throughout the Academy. I joined AAOS in 2012 and have a background in data analytics in both research and market research. I have been a part of Business Development since 2018 where I have been working with my team to bring new and exciting Academy offerings to the AAOS membership and orthopaedic industry.
I am a mother of two amazing boys that keep me constantly on my toes. I am an expert-level online shopper and have never met a Netflix series that I wasn’t able to binge.
Evette D. Thompson, Coordinator, Career and Practice Resources
As a Career and Practice Resources Coordinator, I am responsible for the coordination of the Academy’s Career Center and Annual Fellowship Listings, as well as providing support for all career programs and assisting with the development of practice management resources. For over 18 years, I have assisted medical professionals with their careers working in career centers from proprietary, community colleges, and an association. My career began as a Program and Case Manager for the HIV/AIDS population through Provident Hospital and Urban Life Line Family Center. Leveraging the knowledge acquired in my roles at the hospital, I wanted to assist underprivileged students looking to enter the medical field which led me to my role as the Director of the Career Center at a local Medical School; it was a pleasure seeing students become medical professionals through the coursework offered and the career center trainings provided. In 2016, I began enhancing the Academy’s career center offerings for our members.
I love to travel and believe that a true vacation is going somewhere outside of the state and/or home where one resides. If I am not traveling, I am spending time with family and friends. I am a proud godmother of 7; 4 boys and 3 girls ranging from 25 years old to 1 month old.
Christopher Thompson, Strategic Account Manager - Registries
As the Strategic Account Manager for Registries, I manage the relationships between our registries teams and the industry sponsors of those registries. I started my career in medical device sales before moving to Physician relations for Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas Texas. For the last 3 years, I worked for Level Ex, a video game company that makes video games for doctors, as the Physician Liaison Manager, managing relationships and developing advisory boards for their projects.
In my undergraduate, I spent two semesters studying forensic linguistics, learning to decipher ransom letters, threatening communications, and suicide notes for veracity and authenticity.
Ken Schott, CEM, Exhibits & Sponsorship Senior Manager
As the Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager, I am responsible for the management/execution of all exhibition and sponsorship sales, logistics, operations, and fulfillment for the Annual Meeting. In addition, I collaborate closely with the Live Events team, Commercial Solutions team, as well as external partners/vendors to deliver best-in-class exhibition and sponsorship experiences for our industry partners while maximizing the support for AAOS Annual Meetings. For over 10 years, I have worked in the association exhibition and received my CEM in 2019. The CEM designation is recognized throughout the exposition industry as the premier mark of professional distinction and achievement for exposition managers.
I am a huge neat freak. I can’t stand filth or anything being out of its place in my home. This drives my family and friends crazy because I will strongly suggest how they should act while visiting so that they keep my place clean.
Noel Sierra, Manager, Exhibits & Sponsorship
As Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator, I provide support to the Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager and exhibit team staff. I coordinate and perform a wide variety of detailed tasks relative to promotional opportunities and other industry offerings for the Academy’s Annual Meeting and CME courses. For six years, I was a project manager at an exhibit house where I was responsible for the planning, coordination, procurement, and timely completion of exhibit booth projects. I also oversaw the setup of exhibit booth properties at various trade shows. In addition, I served as the sales and marketing manager for four years where I developed all aspects of the marketing strategy and supported our inside sales and client services.
For several years, I volunteered as an ESL instructor at a community center in Albany Park where I taught mostly Spanish-speaking adults how to speak English as a second language.
Amanda Bogdal, Exhibits Specialist
As Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator, I provide support to the Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager and exhibit team staff by working closely with our exhibitors preparing for the Academy’s Annual Meeting with booth applications, space assignments, promotional opportunities, and general exhibit related inquires. In 2019, I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Hospitality Leadership which led to my first professional role in the wedding planning industry. Though, once I discovered the world of associations I have not looked back. With a strong background in customer service stemming from an internship at The Walt Disney Company in college, the highlight of my job is getting to work so closely with our exhibitors every day!
Dance has always been a huge part of my life. I have been taking dance lessons since the age of 3 and started competitive dance at the age of 14. Even though I do not still compete, I keep my passion alive by assistant coaching for my high school dance team that I was a part of years ago.
Emily Ramey, Exhibits and Sponsorship Assistant
As the Exhibits and Sponsorship Assistant, I provide support to the Exhibits Team with regards to booth solicitations and sales, booth assignments, maintenance of the exhibitor database and assists with exhibit hall logistics. I have my B.A. in Communications and my M.S. in Healthcare Administration. I find all different factors of communication fascinating and I’ve always had an interest in the medical field and found combining the two is the best of both worlds. I have experience in researching, building, and maintaining pipelines for fundraising and prospect oversight. I’ve worked for small and large nonprofits that have been both health and non-health related, locally centered, and internationally focused. I enjoy engaging with people across different areas which led me to AAOS and working alongside exhibitors every day.
When I was a little kid, my family had the opportunity to live in England and we absolutely loved it. It’s one of my favorite places and I still enjoy a cup of tea every so often.