Complex rehab industry veteran Jim Papac has been named the new president of LEVO USA, the standing wheelchair manufacturer announced in a news bulletin.

The Sept. 15 announcement came as a welcoming back for Papac. LEVO USA pointed out that Papac introduced the company’s standing chairs to the United States and Canada in 1996 – thereby putting him in an appropriate position to lead the Minneapolis-based company now.

“Jim’s understanding of how standing solutions provide value to users, clinicians and dealers is second to none,” said Dan Johnson, chairman of LEVO, in the news announcement. “He has a proven track record of delivering results by focusing on the needs of the mobility impaired, enabling sales teams and collaborating with the dealer network to meet those needs. We are very pleased to welcome Jim back to the LEVO team.”

Papac’s experience has included being the National Standing Products Sales Manager at Permobil. At LEVO USA, Papac will be managing sales and business strategies.

LEVO USA’s offerings include power and manual standing wheelchairs for children and adults. During his career in complex rehab, Papac has also focused on educating clinicians and providers on the many clinical, cognitive, social and emotional benefits of standing, as well as how to work with funding sources to prove medical necessity.

“One of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been bringing visibility to the challenges of the mobility impaired and developing innovative approaches to meeting their needs,” Papac said. “I’m excited to be back with the LEVO team, the experts in standing wheelchairs for the past 40 years.”

LEVO created its first standing wheelchair in 1975 and began producing the chair in Switzerland in 1976. Dane Technologies began working with LEVO in 2006 and began managing LEVO USA in 2006. The following year, Dane Technologies purchased LEVO, which now operates as its wholly owned subsidiary.