U.S. Speedskating president to lead Microbiologics Inc.

Brad Goskowicz, CEO, Microbiologics Inc.

Most of us mere mortals would be satisfied just being good at one thing.

But then there’s Brad Goskowicz.

Microbiologics Inc. recently tapped the medical device sales and marketing veteran to be its CEO. The company, owned by buyout firm Granite Equity Partners, manufactures microorganisms used in quality control testing for several industries including food, medical, pharmaceutical and water.

Oh, did I mention Goskowicz is a U.S. Speedskating Hall of Famer and the current president of the U.S. Speedskating Association?

That’s right folks. The man at least partly responsible for 75 Olympic medals in speedskating since 2006 — the most medals by any country in any Winter Olympic sport — is now running the show at Microbiologics in St. Cloud, Minnesota. (I wonder if he speedskates to work from his home in Ham Lake? That would be a sight to see.)

Goskowicz was a pretty accomplished skater in his youth, setting a few U.S. and North American records. But it was his work with the U.S. Speedskating Association that earned him a Hall of Fame invite.

From a 2009 profile in ABCNewspapers.com:

Goskowicz made a name for himself in organizing competitions, expanding opportunities for skaters and generating additional interest in the sport. He pushed for adoption of rules that would mirror those of the International Skating Union. He became known as an innovator, constantly experimenting with ways to grow the sport.

Among the things he was responsible for: point competitions in which every race counted for something more than just a route to a final; multiple finals that allowed skaters to participate in ’A’ or ’B’ or ’C’ finals depending on their prior performances; different lengths of races to provide variety for racers; and family races.

“Anything to make the competitions more fun and attract more people,” Goskowicz said. “In my younger days, everybody thought I was the rebel because I was always trying to make these changes. Now that I’m in my 50s, I’m considered more of the establishment guy even though I’m still trying to make changes. It’s a perception thing, the way people look at you.”

As it turns out, his kids are pretty good at speedskating too: two made the Olympic team twice.

Goskowicz also built himself a nice career in the medical device industry. A graduate of Marquette University with a degree in medical technology and chemistry, Goskowicz was a sales or marketing executive at companies ranging from Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson to Thoratec and Myocor.

He joined Microbiologics in 2009 as chief marketing officer and later became its president.

Here’s hoping Goskowicz will bring to his new job the same kind of innovation and competitive spirit he embodied at U.S. Speedskating.