Thoratec promotes Taylor Harris to finance chief

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Heart device maker Thoratec on Thursday said it promoted Taylor C. Harris to chief financial officer.

Harris, who will also hold the title of vice president, takes over the post from Roxanne Oulman, who has been serving as interim CFO since June 2011, when David Smith resigned. Oulman is the company's vice president of finance.

Harris joined Thoratec Corp. in 2010 as senior director of investor relations and business development. Previously, he worked for JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Thoratec, based in Pleasanton, Calif., makes HeartMate pumps, which are used in patients who are waiting for a heart transplant or for those who are too sick to have heart transplant surgery. It also makes products used in surgical support. In 2011, Thoratec earned $71.5 million, or $1.19 per share, on revenue of $422.7 million.

Thoratec shares closed Wednesday at $34.26, up about 2 percent since the start of the year. The stock has traded between $27.84 and $38.07 in the past 52 weeks.