Aug 17, 2001
Guidant Appoints Debra F. Minott as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT) today announced that Debra F. Minott, currently deputy general counsel and secretary, Guidant, has been promoted to vice president, general counsel and secretary of the company.

"We are pleased to have Debra assume this role for Guidant," stated Ronald W. Dollens, Guidant president and CEO. "She is a highly skilled attorney with a broad and deep array of legal expertise and business experience. She has made significant contributions since joining our firm and we look forward to her continued leadership as she assumes the helm of our legal organization."

Minott joined Guidant in April of last year from Essex International Inc./Superior TeleCom, Inc., where she served as senior vice president and general counsel, Superior TeleCom; and executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Essex International Inc. Prior to that, Minott served in a number of legal positions with Eli Lilly and Company, including senior counsel, Lilly, in Indianapolis, and general counsel and secretary, IVAC Corporation, in San Diego, Calif.

Minott earned a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Michigan School of Law. She also received a bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan. Active in civic affairs, Minott serves on the board of Reach for Youth Inc.

Minott succeeds John Jenkins, who will be retiring this month. "We appreciate the contributions John has made since he joined Guidant after retiring from Eli Lilly and Company," said Dollens. "As an outstanding corporate lawyer, he provided strong leadership and counsel during his tenure."

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to 7 million cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of 10,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life's most threatening medical conditions.