First Medica™ was founded in 1991 by Jeffrey Drometer who perceived a need for delivering value priced infection control products to the health care industry. Mr. Drometer’s vision was to provide value priced consumable products such as gloves, cleaning products and barrier protection to health care professionals while offering choices to the end user. Mr. Drometer noted that while consumers wanted good value for their money they also wanted choices. At the time protective apparel typically was offered only in blue or hospital green. First Medica created a line of products in a rainbow of colors with extra features – all the while undercutting market leaders in cost.
In the mid 1990’s First Medica introduced the Hilux™ line of halogen curing lights. Very quickly Hilux was recognized as the value leader in the dental marketplace. Hilux lights offered performance levels of lights priced twice as high with solid construction and an industry leading two year warranty. Very quickly Hilux became a market leader. Building on the success of Hilux a Blast™ line of LED curing lights was introduced in 2006. This line continued to expand in 2008 with the introduction of the Blast Lite, Mini-Blast and the Blast Plus.
First Medica looks to the future by building on its foundation of high performance, value priced products. First Medica continues to offer infection control products and is expanding into small equipment built on the same philosophy. As a small, privately owned company, First Medica can and does respond quickly to consumer needs and prides itself on excellent customer service.
Today First Medica is owned David Small and leads our research and development. Day to day operations are headed by Russ Gaffney, while Eric Cornelison as National Sales Manager directs our sales and marketing initiatives.
We sincerely appreciate your business and look forward to future growth.
David Small
President David has business experience in domestic manufacturing operations as well as banking and the aerospace/high tech industries.
David received his MBA in finance and International Trade from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management in 1987 and a BA in History and Political Science from Loma Linda University in 1985. David lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with his wife and two teenage sons and enjoys biking and the outdoor life.
Russ Gaffney
Chief Operations Officer & Chief Information Officer joined First Medica in 1995 and has moved through the ranks of the daily operations from Distributor Sales, to Customer Service, Warehouse, Purchasing, Marketing, Computers, Network Administration and Web Development. Russ has over 24 years experience in manufacturing and distribution.
A native of Spartanburg, SC, Russ has a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance and has backed up many artists including Percy Sledge, Dizzy Gillespie and others. He can also be heard on various recordings of other artists local to the Southeast. Other hobbies include free-lance web design and flying. Russ lives in Greensboro with his wife and 2 teenage children.
Eric Cornelison
VP of Sales & Marketing is a native of Jamestown, NC and brings over 10 years of Sales & Management experience to First Medica. Eric has proven himself in sales and has uncovered several new dealers as well as grown and strengthened many existing relationships. Eric been moving at lightning speed since joining First Medica in the fall of 2010.
Eric still lives in Jamestown and has many local connections to our industry. Eric and his wife have one child, with another on the way. Eric's interests outside of work include coaching and playing different sports, not the least of which is golf.
Ron Crouch
National Sales Manager has been a business owner and sales professional for over 40 years and brings insight, energy and determination that compliments all other First Medica employees. Not only is his business experience extensive but being a North Carolina native has a very large network of friends and business associates that relate to our industry.
Ron lives in Greensboro with his wife and two children and is active in his church and also enjoys singing and acting in dramatic theater. He is an avid golfer and Director of Chapter Development for the Phi Sigma Kappa National Fraternity.