Dan Kasprzyk, founder and CEO of Poba Medical, has played a significant role in establishing Flagstaff as a center for medical technology. With more than 35 years in the medical device industry, Kasprzyk’s work includes contributions to technologies that have advanced cardiac and vascular treatments. He began his career after studying bioengineering at Arizona State University and has since worked with several startups before founding Poba Medical in Flagstaff.
Kasprzyk’s commitment extends beyond technical innovation to supporting Northern Arizona University (NAU) student-athletes. “We’ve landed interns and employees from track and field, women’s soccer, football, tennis, swimming and diving — really across the board,” Kasprzyk said. “They bring an incredible balance of discipline, teamwork, and drive. Those qualities translate perfectly to a startup in the medical device industry.”
He estimates that more than 25 student-athletes have worked for his ventures over the years, often moving from internships to full-time roles such as engineers or business analysts. Kasprzyk values the mindset he sees among NAU student-athletes: “Our student-athletes aren’t given everything like maybe they are elsewhere — they work for everything,” he said. “They’re students who know education is going to guide their career. They’re 90 percent student, 10 percent athlete, but that 10 percent is what drives their motivation and aligns with the startup world.”
He emphasized that leadership skills gained through athletics are valuable in business settings: “When you hire a captain of a football team who’s also a 4.0 software-engineering major, you don’t have to explain accountability,” he said. “Or a track athlete who earns both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in three years — that’s who you want in your business.”
Kasprzyk’s connection to NAU also comes through his wife Kelly, who was part of NAU’s first women’s golf team. Together they established an endowed golf scholarship at NAU as a way of giving back. “Kelly was part of year one, season one,” Kasprzyk said. “The program has grown so much since then. That endowment was our way of giving back to what originally brought her to Flagstaff from Wyoming.”
NAU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Uri Farkas highlighted their impact: “Dan and Kelly are a perfect example of how a family can make a lasting impact on both the university and the community,” Farkas said. “Their support of NAU Athletics and their leadership through Poba Medical reflect exactly what it means to be a Lumberjack.”
Kasprzyk noted that supporting NAU athletics is also important for local economic development: “Our community is key to our success,” he said. “In a small mountain town, you have to build a brand people want to work for. We recruit from the community, and NAU is a huge part of that.”
Flagstaff’s medical-technology sector includes large companies such as Gore and Machine Solutions alongside smaller innovators like Poba Medical.
Reflecting on his career path—which includes experience at Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, B. Braun Medical, Machine Solutions, IPOs and acquisitions—Kasprzyk emphasized mentorship: “It’s fun to support the local team,” he said. “But it’s even more meaningful to support a program rooted in academics as well as athletics, like Northern Arizona.”
The relationship between Poba Medical and NAU remains close; Dan met Kelly at an NAU golf tournament where she was competing.
As Poba Medical continues its work developing next-generation medical balloons for cardiovascular applications, Kasprzyk sees similarities between his company culture and that found among student-athletes at NAU: “Your startup is a team,” Kasprzyk said. “Everyone pulls in the same direction and every day you’re trying to win. That’s what student-athletes understand better than anyone.”
Kasprzyk’s efforts demonstrate how collaboration between local businesses and educational institutions can help create opportunities for students while supporting regional growth.
