UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 



CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 2, 2017

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CRYOLIFE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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1655 Roberts Boulevard, N.W.,  Kennesaw,  Georgia  30144
(Address of principal executive office) (zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (770) 419-3355

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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):



☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)



☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)



☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))



☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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On September 29, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of CryoLife, Inc. a Florida corporation (NYSE: CRY) (the “Company”) increased the size of the Company’s Board to nine members and elected Jeffrey H. Burbank as a director of the Company. Mr. Burbank will be included as one of the Company’s directors who will stand for reelection by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held in May 2018. On October 2, 2017, the Company issued a press release regarding Mr. Burbank’s appointment, a copy of which is attached hereto.



The Board has affirmatively determined the Mr. Burbank qualifies as an independent director under the categorical standards of the corporate governance rules of New York Stock Exchange as defined under applicable law.



There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Burbank and any person pursuant to which Mr. Burbank was selected as a director, and there are no actual or proposed transactions between Mr. Burbank or any of his related persons and the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.404(a)) in connection with his appointment as a director of the Company.



As of the date of his appointment, Mr. Burbank is entitled to receive compensation and participate in the plans of the Company applicable to all of the Company’s directors, as more particularly described on page  17 of the Company’s proxy statement filed March 28, 2017, under the sub-heading “Elements of Non-Employee Director Compensation”. In accordance with such plans, Mr. Burbank will be granted, as soon as practicable after any applicable trading blackout has been lifted, a restricted stock award valued at $67,000 on the grant date, such award to vest one year front grant. In addition, commencing on October 1, 2017, Mr. Burbank will receive monthly cash compensation for his service on the Board ($3,333.33/month) and for his service on the Corporate Governance Committee ($625/month)  until such time as the Company’s Board determines to modify the cash component for director compensation or committee membership or Mr. Burbank ceases to be a director or to serve on the Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the foregoing awards was made in respect of, and prorated to, Mr. Burbank’s service from the date of his appointment until the anticipated date of the Company’s next Annual Meeting.



Except as set forth above, there is no other material Company plan, contract or arrangement in which Mr. Burbank will participate in connection with his appointment.



    

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Section 9Financial Statements and Exhibits.



Item 9.01(d)Exhibits



(a)Financial Statements

Not applicable



(b)Pro Forma Financial Information.

Not applicable.



(c)Shell Company Transactions.

Not applicable.



(d)Exhibits.







*This exhibit is furnished, not filed.







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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CryoLife, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.









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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:





Jeffrey H. Burbank Joins CryoLife Board of Directors



ATLANTA, GA…(October 2, 2017)…CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a leading medical device and tissue processing company focused on cardiac and vascular surgery, announced the appointment of Jeffrey H. Burbank to its Board of Directors effective September 29, 2017.  

Pat Mackin, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer,  commented,  “Jeff has over 30 years of in-depth management experience in medical devices, highlighted by his tenure growing NxStage Medical from inception to more than $360 million in annual revenue.  His experience will allow him to bring a unique perspective to our Board on our internal and external development programs.  Jeff brings a proven track record of success to the Board as we continue to focus on accelerating the Company’s growth.”

Mr. Burbank said, “I am excited to join the CryoLife Board of Directors.  I share the Company’s vision to advance the standard of care with innovative products that help improve the health and quality of life of patients.    I  look forward to working with Pat, the Board and the CryoLife team as they continue to advance the Company’s mission.”   

Mr. Burbank is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of NxStage Medical,  Inc.,  (NASDAQ: NXTM) a leading medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and acute kidney failure.  Mr. Burbank has led NxStage since its inception in 1998, guiding it through all of its developmental phases to the successful initiation and rapid growth of commercial activities, its initial public offering, the evolution of its product line, its expansion into other markets, and its pending acquisition by Fresenius Medical Care.  Prior to NxStage, Mr. Burbank was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vasca, Inc., a privately held, medical device company.  Mr.  Burbank previously held leadership positions at ZymeQuest, Inc., and Gambro, Inc.  Mr. Burbank received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University.

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About CryoLife, Inc.



Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, CryoLife is a leader in the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of implantable living tissues and medical devices used in cardiac and vascular surgical procedures.  CryoLife markets and sells products in more than 80 countries worldwide.  For additional information about CryoLife, visit our website, www.cryolife.com.





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