Kleiner hiring like there’s no tomorrow

Kleiner Perkins has been hiring partners at a rate of one every two weeks lately. Dana G. Mead is the just the latest to join Kleiner, which is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected venture capital firms. This is the second hire in a row that bolsters Kleiner’s biotech capabilities, something that may not be coincidental.

We’ll check in with Kleiner and ask them if there’s anything more behind this hiring spree, or whether this is it for a while. Meanwhile, the Mead announcement is here, or just read the extended entry below.

UPDATE: We just talked with Mead, for a story to run in the Merc tomorrow, and with partner John Denniston, who tells us, yes, Kleiner is done hiring for a while.

Dana G. Mead, Jr. joins Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to partner with entrepreneurs on breakthrough medical technologies

May 19, 2005

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) — an innovator in providing �venture and relationship capital�(SM) services to entrepreneurs — is pleased to announce Dana G. Mead, Jr. has joined the KPCB team as a Partner.

�I look forward to working with entrepreneurs and the KPCB team to accelerate the dynamic convergence of medical devices with pharmaceuticals, biologics and information technology,� said Mead. �I�m thrilled to have the opportunity to join forces with and serve the world-class entrepreneurs in the KPCB portfolio and other innovators who are creating life-enhancing medical technology breakthroughs.�

Brook Byers of KPCB said, �Dana�s global operating roles at Guidant coupled with his start-up experience will make him a welcome addition to the KPCB life sciences team. Entrepreneurs already seek out Dana to leverage his knowledge, network and wisdom acquired during 23 years in the medical device business. Executives at our portfolio companies recognize Dana as an industry leader and visionary, and they are eager to have him join the team.�

Mead added, “My career has been devoted to identifying new technologies, developing new markets and therapies and building and developing world-class management teams with the ultimate goal of benefiting patients. As a KPCB Partner, I plan to support talented and passionate entrepreneurs who share a vision to build durable businesses with the promise of making a real difference in lives of millions suffering with life-limiting disease.�

Ronald W. Dollens, President and CEO of Guidant, said �Dana is a proven leader who has demonstrated a unique ability to identify, develop and commercialize emerging technologies. I am pleased that as a KPCB Partner, Dana will continue to focus his considerable energy and talents on the life sciences sector.�

Dana was the President, Guidant Vascular Intervention, a fully integrated billion dollar division with over 4,500 employees. Since joining Guidant in 1992, Dana held various positions of increasing responsibility including Vice President and General Manager, Cardiac & Vascular Surgery Group, Vice President and General Manager, Stents, Vascular Intervention Group, President, Japan and A/P based in Tokyo and Vice President, Corporate Relations and Policy with responsibility for investor relations, corporate communications, corporate marketing and public policy initiatives. Prior to joining Guidant, Dana worked in various sales and marketing management roles with Johnson & Johnson and Allergan, Inc. Dana represented Guidant on the boards of Cardica, Inc., eValve, Inc. and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI).

Mead, 46, has a Bachelors degree from Lafayette college and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California.

Since its founding in 1972, KPCB has backed entrepreneurs in 450 ventures, including AOL, Align, Amazon.com, Citrix, Compaq Computer, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Genomic Health, Genprobe, Google, Hybritech, IDEC Pharmaceuticals, Intuit, Juniper Networks, Netscape, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Lotus, Nuvasive, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, Verisign and Xilinx. KPCB portfolio companies employ more than 250,000 people. More than 150 of the firm’s portfolio companies have gone public. Many other ventures have achieved success through mergers and acquisitions.