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Nov 16, 2023

TayCo Brace appoints new marketing, technology chiefs

A South Bend-based ankle brace manufacturer is adding new leadership. TayCo Brace — which produces braces used by 22 NFL teams and more than 80 intercollegiate athletics programs — announced the

A South Bend-based ankle brace manufacturer is adding new leadership.

TayCo Brace — which produces braces used by 22 NFL teams and more than 80 intercollegiate athletics programs — announced the appointment of new marketing and technology officers on Thursday.

Garrett Gingerich will lead the company’s strategic marketing efforts as chief marketing officer. Gingerich previously served as a group director for strategy at Pathfinders Advertising in Mishawaka.

Garrett Hurley — who comes to South Bend from the San Francisco based Roam Robotics — will take on the role of chief technology officer. Hurley brings experience in prosthetics, orthotics and medical device consulting.

“We are thrilled to welcome Garrett Gingerich and Garrett Hurley to our executive team,” TayCo Brace CEO Gavin Ferlic said in a news release. “Their extensive industry experience and leadership skills will play a crucial role in driving our strategic growth initiatives and solidifying our position in the market. We are confident their contributions will greatly benefit our company and customers.”

TayCo Brace was founded in 2016 and works with hospitals, medical practices, military organizations and athletic programs to support ankle recovery among its more than 20,000 patients. The company sells product through physicians’ officers and in consumer markets after recently launching its first off-the-shelf brace, available without a doctor’s order.

The company has designed a unique ankle brace that can be worn outside of a person’s shoe, which it says can help patients recover from a long list of ankle or foot injuries and is an alternative to the conventional walking boot.

The company was spotlighted by IIB’s Kylie Veleta in 2021 after closing on a $1.2 million seed round of funding. A year ago, TayCo also received a share of $649,000 from the state’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program.