Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Business Administration and Accounting > Haller Enterprise Institute

Entrepreneur of the Year 2004

Frederic Haer, founder and owner of FHC, Inc., demonstrates equipment designed and developed by his company to assist neurosurgeons with intraoperative microelectrode recording and stimulation so as to map the electrical activity of the human brain in order to precisely locate dysfunctional areas prior to removing or modifying them.

A 1965 graduate of Thiel College with a major in chemistry, Frederic C. Haer attended the University of Michigan for graduate study in physical chemistry. His earliest position in the work force was a biomedical products manager for the Gelman Instrument Company, where he was responsible for the conception and development of new biomedical products. In 1969, he moved to Transidyne General Corporation where he was the manager of biomedical marketing.

Two years later, Haer left Transidyne to form his own company, Frederic Haer and Co. which re-incorporated in Maine as FHC, Inc. after the company moved from Michigan in 1977. Since then, Haer has developed his company into a business with more than sixty employees. FHC designs, manufactures, and internationally markets quality products for neurosurgical research and neuroscience - the study of the brain and nervous system.

FHC was among the first companies to develop microelectrode needles and related devices used worldwide as an essential tool for the study of the electrical signals emanating from nerve cells. Previously doctors were developing their own equipment. Over the years, Haer and his employees have responded to their clients by developing innumerable enhancements and specialized devices that have been essential to the advancement of basic research in the workings of the nervous system.

In recent years, these devices have advanced from the research laboratory into the operating rooms, and FHC now provides microelectrodes and electronic and positioning devices for the clinical market. FHC established microTargeting as its trademark for this technology, which recently has found increasing use in the treatment of Parkinson's symptoms and other movement disorders. FHC's microTargeting Platform using STarFix Guidance was named a winner in the 2004 Medical Design Excellence Awards competition and was honored at the conference at New York's Javits Convention Center in June.

In addition to Haer's many professional accomplishments, he has been active at his alma mater as a member of the Thiel College Board of Trustees since 1998. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000. He and his wife, Jill (Shackett), chaired the successful campaign to raise funds for the Paul W. Bush '66 Memorial Fitness center. The Haers, who reside in Brunswick, Maine, have one son, Andrew, who lives in Boston.