CryoLife, Inc., a leading medical device and tissue processing company focused on cardiac and vascular surgery, announced that Steven G. Anderson, 76, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, has decided to retire effective immediately.  As a result of his retirement, he will step down from all positions with the company and its subsidiaries, including as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Officer of the company.  Pat Mackin, President and CEO, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Mackin commented, "Steve is a rare entrepreneur who started the company on his kitchen table in 1984, saw it through a public offering in 1993 and continued to lead it after it was listed on the NYSE.  Few people have the skills and energy to work effectively in those very different environments over a 30-year period.  Steve's biggest contribution is the impact the company's technologies have had on millions of cardiac and vascular patients around the world whose lives have been improved by the company he started.  We are extremely grateful for the leadership and commitment that Steve has provided to the company, first as founder and CEO, and most recently as Executive Chairman.  We wish him well in his retirement."

Ronald D. McCall, Presiding Director, commented, "Steve had a vision for the future and started a small company to preserve human heart valves for future transplants.  He could see that the preservation of tissue would lead to many more people having transplants of human tissue heart valves.  Under his energetic leadership, CryoLife has grown into a very successful company helping many people here and abroad.  We thank Steve for his leadership."

Mr. Mackin added, "We are excited to continue building on the strong foundation Steve has established and believe we are well positioned to accelerate the Company's growth through new product launches, geographic expansion, and strategic business development opportunities."