Apr 3, 2002
Dana G. Mead, Jr. Named Vice President, Corporate Relations and Policy

New position will have responsibility for Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Corporate Marketing and Public Policy

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that Dana G. Mead, Jr., currently president, Japan, Asia/Pacific, has been named to the newly created position of vice president, Corporate Relations and Policy, reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald W. Dollens.

In this new role, Mead will have responsibility for Guidant's Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Corporate Marketing and Public Policy initiatives.

"Dana's operational success within Guidant and breadth of business experience provide a foundation from which we can draw to clearly articulate our direction and position to our constituents," commented Dollens. "He has been very instrumental in improving our results and operating capability in Japan during the past two years. We look forward to his leadership and guidance in this new strategically important role for our company."

Since joining Guidant in 1992, Mead has held various positions of increasing responsibility including vice president and general manager, Guidant Cardiac & Vascular Surgery Group. In 1998, Mead was named vice president and general manager, Stents, Guidant Vascular Intervention Group. He was promoted to his current position in 2000.

Mead received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College and holds an MBA from the University of Southern California.

In a related move, Guidant today announced that Rodney R. Nash, currently vice president, Corporate Resources and Policy, has been named vice president, Japan, Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Nash will remain in Indianapolis and continue reporting to Dollens.

"Rod's twenty years of experience living and working successfully in international markets will serve us well as he assumes this new position," commented Dollens.

Nash received his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Indiana University.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to 8 million cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 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.