Cracking the Code on Staffing

A ffymetrix develops and manufactures complex genetic tools that help scientists and researchers come up with medical breakthroughs. The Santa Clara company commercialized the first DNA microarray in the late 1980s — a small glass chip that could hold vast amounts of biological data. The company aims to accelerate genetic research so physicians can develop diagnostics and tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases. Affymetrix has annual revenue of about $315 million.

ROUTE TO THE TOP

Runkel has spent most of his in-house career working in some area of health care technology. Before joining Affymetrix in October 2008, Runkel was senior vice president and general counsel at Sunnyvale surgical robotics company Intuitive Surgical Inc., and before that he was senior vice president of business development, general counsel and corporate secretary at VISX Inc., a laser vision-correction technology firm in Santa Clara. Before he began his corporate career in 2001, Runkel spent 17 years practicing law, mainly litigation, at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, where he was managing partner of the firm’s San Francisco office. Runkel received his law and undergraduate degrees from UCLA. He is married with three boys.

LEGAL TEAM AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL