Press room

Eden Prairie, Minnesota (January 30, 2025) – Starkey is proud to announce the appointment of Stefan Menzl as Senior Vice President of Engineering. A highly respected technical leader in the global hearing industry, Menzl brings over 25 years of engineering and executive expertise to Starkey. His addition to the team reflects Starkey’s continued investment in research and development, as well as its commitment to expanding its innovation pipeline, fueled by the success of the introduction of Edge AI in 2024, the industry's flagship family of products.

“Starkey’s commitment to leading the industry in innovation and improving lives is stronger than ever,” said Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO at Starkey. “Stefan’s extensive expertise and leadership in engineering will further enhance our ability to deliver transformative hearing solutions. His addition to our already world-class R&D team underscores our mission to remain years ahead in creating technology that truly makes a difference.”

Throughout his career, Menzl has held key leadership roles with major hearing aid manufacturers, overseeing extensive R&D operations across global locations. His achievements include the development and launch of numerous groundbreaking hearing technology platforms and products. Known for his innovative thinking and operational excellence, Menzl’s leadership has consistently raised industry standards in engineering.

At Starkey, Menzl will lead the engineering organization, overseeing hardware, software, firmware, systems engineering, and the program management office. He will focus on driving engineering excellence, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and delivering cutting-edge hearing technology that aligns with Starkey’s strategic vision. He will report directly to Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering.

“We are thrilled to welcome Stefan to the Starkey family. His technical expertise, innovative thinking, and proven leadership will undoubtedly propel our engineering efforts to new heights,” said Bhowmik, “Together, we will continue to redefine the role of hearing technology in improving lives worldwide.”

Menzl’s appointment underscores Starkey’s unwavering commitment to advancing hearing technology and enriching lives through innovation. As the only American-owned and operated global hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey remains dedicated creating meaningful connections and enriching lives through its innovative solutions.

About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.