KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Spark Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee Research Park is proud to announce the addition of Tim Rinks as its newest Life Science Expert-in-Residence (EIR). With decades of leadership in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare innovation, Rinks brings a wealth of experience from Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups to Spark’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

A Career Defined by Operational Excellence & Strategic Growth

Rinks is a mechanical engineer (UT Knoxville, B.S. with honors) and seasoned executive with a track record of driving double-digit revenue growth, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across global markets. His expertise spans:

• FDA, CE, DEA, and DSCSA compliance
• Aseptic processing, orthopedics, and robotics
• Mergers & acquisitions, greenfield site development, and plant consolidations
• Lean Six Sigma and Shingo Prize operational excellence methodologies

Currently COO of ALLUMIN8 (orthopedic/spine hardware) and an independent consultant, Rinks has held leadership roles at Active Implants, OsteoRemedies, AmerisourceBergen (now Cencora), ClearLab (1-800 Contacts), Gyrus ACMI, The Cooper Companies, and Bausch & Lomb. His international experience includes operations in Ireland, the UK, Singapore, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Israel.

Driving Life Science Innovation at Spark

As an EIR, Rinks will:
✔ Mentor startups in regulatory strategy, manufacturing, and scaling
✔ Forge industry partnerships to accelerate commercialization
✔ Advise on quality systems, compliance, and operational efficiency

Join Us in Welcoming Tim Rinks!

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn and stay tuned for upcoming mentorship opportunities at Spark Innovation Center.