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 jointly owned and operated by Scott Haralson & David Small. Mr. Small leads the research and development team and Mr. Haralson heads up the Sales & Marketing team.
Both of us sincerely appreciate your business and look forward to future growth.
David Small
President and Chairman of the Board partnered with Jeff Drometer, founder of First Medica in 1993. From 1993 until Jeff's untimely death in August 2006 David served as CFO of First Medica with responsibility for operations, cash management, product development and strategic planning. In 2006 David assumed the position of President and Chairman of the Board. David was instrumental in focusing First Medica as the value leader in the dental market.
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.
Scott Haralson
Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman joined First Medica on July 1, 2008. Mr. Haralson was previously Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of MediSource, Inc. MediSource was launched in 2003 and grew at substantial compounded growth rates each of the years under Mr. Haralson leadership. This was due to rapid market share expansion in the acute care, primary care and long term care markets based on superior customer service, superior quality products and value pricing. Mr. Haralson exited MediSource on June 30, 2008. Prior to MediSource Mr. Haralson was with Sempermed USA for six years and was an original member of the sales team.
Mr. Haralson brings many years of accomplishments in sales & marketing, operational efficiencies, cash flow management strategies and entrepreneurial drive.
Mr. Haralson is also a consultant with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia and graduated from the Coles School of Business at Kennesaw University.
Mr. Haralson and his wife reside in Canton, Georgia and welcomed their first child earlier in the year, 2008.
Russ Gaffney
Vice President of Operations 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 20 years experience in manufacturing and distribution.
A native of Spartanburg, SC, Russ has a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance and can be heard on various recordings including those of Percy Sledge, Dizzy Gillespie, The Temptations, as well as many regional recording artists. Other hobbies include free-lance web design and flying. Russ lives in Greensboro with his wife and 2 teenage children.