David Corasanti strives to make a difference
Sept. 15, 2002

Photo by ELIZABETH A. MUNDSCHENK David Corasanti

By BILL FARRELL
Observer-Dispatch

David G. Corasanti had opportunities to grow his career elsewhere, but he chose to come home to Utica.

That was in 1992, when he was working for 3M Co. in Denver, Colo. He liked the work and the area, but Colorado had its share of problems like any large city — traffic, pollution, crime.

He and his wife, Kelli, an Olean native, opted to return to the Mohawk Valley because of its quality of life.

They’ve never been sorry.

An outdoors enthusiast, he could drive to the mountains in Colorado, but they were an hour and a half away.

Corasanti loves to fish. “There’s a great trout stream only 10 minutes from my house here,” he said.

“Everything is nearby. We found everything we were looking for right here.”

Once here, Corasanti went to work for ConMed Corp., the medical technology company his father, Eugene, founded.

David started as a territory manager in the company’s sales division, then rapidly took on increased responsibility, joining the marketing division, where he spearheaded efforts to develop a unique series of surgical instruments for laparoscopic surgery.

One such instrument was a device to staple skin together. It takes the place of sutures, which are costly and take time to heal.

“When I started as territory manager, you had to know about anatomy, and the ins and outs of hospitals, working with surgeons,” he said.

A year ago, ConMed created a new division, the endoscopic division, and Corasanti was named program sales manager. It’s here that he brings ConMed products to hospitals across the nation and globally.

He’s particularly proud of the program sales department. No other division at ConMed has one.

“We’re Number 3 in a billion dollar market,” behind Johnson & Johnson and Tyco (parent company of Kendall Co. in Oriskany Falls), he said.

“We’ve done over $30 million in sales this year. Three years ago, we did $3.5 million in sales.”

While the job keeps him extremely busy, Corasanti has found time for his community.

For the past five years, he’s been a volunteer and rider with the Ride for Missing Children in the Mohawk Valley.

“I try to make a difference,” he said. He and his wife have three young children.

“I don’t think there’s a stronger cause to be a part of. It’s something that we can do something about.”

One of Corasanti’s jobs — no, make that loves — during the ride is taking pictures along the way.

An amateur photographer, he enjoys capturing as much of the experience as he can, including taking shots at various schools the riders visit along the route.

“It’s a good way to promote the ride and show that you can make a difference while still having fun,” he said.

Frank Williams, vice president of ConMed’s endoscopy division, nominated Corasanti for the Accent on Excellence Award.

“David embodies the dedication to the success within the Mohawk Valley that this community needs from our upcoming generations,” Williams said.

“He is an excellent example of how a successful career can benefit our community.”