In an industry where innovation is constant and competition fierce, Joe Mullings has carved out a unique niche. As the Chairman and CEO of The Mullings Group Companies, including TMG Search and Dragonfly Stories, Mullings has been a pivotal force in MedTech recruitment for over three decades. His firm has executed more than 9,000 successful searches across medtech, healthtech, and life sciences, catering to clients ranging from multi-billion-dollar corporations to emerging high-tech startups globally.
What sets Mullings apart is his visionary approach to integrating media with talent acquisition. When the pandemic hit, Mullings boldly invested his own resources to create and launch "TrueFuture," a video docuseries that has won seven Telly Awards. Dubbed the "Anthony Bourdain of the MedTech industry," Mullings used "TrueFuture" to spotlight the MedTech sector in an unprecedented way, bringing stories of innovation and human ingenuity to the forefront.
Dragonfly, the media arm of The Mullings Group, stands as the only search firm with its own full-scale production studio. This unique integration has allowed Mullings to develop Dragonfly Stories, a media production company that offers clients and partners cutting-edge tools for attention and awareness. This pioneering move has revolutionized how recruitment firms operate, merging the realms of media and talent access.
Beyond his work at The Mullings Group, Mullings is an active member of the MedTech and investor community. He sits on industry boards, advises numerous tech startups and accelerators, and is a noted angel investor. His expertise and insights have been featured in top publications such as Forbes, CNBC, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, NY Post, and Monster, where he discusses strategies and tactics for building companies and careers in the modern world of work.
With an engineering degree from the University of Dayton, Ohio, Mullings' technical background and relentless drive have made him a respected leader and innovator in the MedTech industry. His firm's international presence and collaboration with over 900 companies underscore its global impact and the high regard in which it is held.
What inspired you to form your Medtech search firm over 30 years ago?
In 1984, I graduated from the University of Dayton, Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Subsequently, I worked for an aerospace company, designing electro-optical systems. In 1989, I left engineering and entered the search world, selecting MedTech as my specialty because of its technical nature, potential to help people and high barrier to entry for competitors. I knew technology would always seek higher ground as people aged and did not only want to live longer but healthier as well. At the time, search firms were typically spread across multiple industries or functions, and I thought that a large data set coming in every day from conversations (as there was no email, desktop computers, or internet at that time) could be compounded to provide "more touches in the market".
How has the Medtech industry and your firm evolved over the years?
When I began my search firm in 1989, the industry was largely an analog game. Data was stored on index cards in alphabetical order, and conversations were handwritten. With the advent of desktop computers, the internet, and the great digital transition, businesses evolved quickly and the same was true for MedTech. Previously, it had been largely an analog business, with analog devices. Over the past two decades, the digital transition has been firmly established with the introduction of telehealth, surgical robotics, sensors, the consumerization of digital health, data aggregation, and AI and ML.
My firm has evolved alongside the MedTech industry. Small note here, we were the first search firm to use Lotus Notes to develop custom software that employed OCR (optical character recognition) for scanning resumes and converting the data for keyword searches. This enabled us to process thousands of resumes swiftly and find suitable candidates. We also were the first, and to my knowledge, the only search firm in the world to have its own full-production studio and production company for the benefit of our client partners and candidates.
What drew you to activities such as aviation, jujitsu, and triathlons, and how has this intense discipline impacted your life?
I have a passion for learning and challenging myself. When I pick something to do, I go all in. From the moment I began training in Jiujitsu as a teenager, I have been devoted to the world of combat sports. I started with Kenpo and have since gone on to earn black belts in both Aikido and Brazilian Jiujitsu. My desire to continue learning and pushing my limits has only grown stronger. I also owned The Armory, a highly successful MMA school/team that launched the careers of multiple UFC fighters.
Triathlons were also a passion of mine, although I wasn't the best open-water swimmer. Instead, I excelled at cycling and pursued time trialing and road racing. I loved the pain bucket of legs and lungs that the sport presented.
Aviation has always been a passion of mine. Growing up on Long Island, my father worked for Grumman Aerospace, exposing me to all kinds of aircraft. I had an extensive collection of model airplanes that I built. When Covid hit, I found the time and, in my late 50's, I finally pursued my pilot's license. I own two airplanes: a Cirrus SR22 and a Cessna Conquest 441. I love to fly; as it requires me to have discipline, commitment, intelligence, and the ability to solve problems in real-time, as well as accept the consequences of my actions.
How has Dragonfly Stories changed your business model and the Medtech industry through your client work and unique content like TrueFuture?
Dragonfly Stories has revolutionized recruitment by being the first search firm to leverage video on LinkedIn. We pioneered employer hiring brand development using video and are the only search firm with our full production studio. Our clients benefit from our ability to showcase innovative technologies, emerging entrepreneurs, and discuss the issues and opportunities taking place in MedTech—and share them with an audience of over 150,000 sets of eyes every day.
The TrueFuture docuseries has won seven Telly Awards for its work, providing us with the opportunity to tell the stories of the incredible people who develop lifesaving technologies. It is a privilege to be able to be part of their creations, as well as to share their cultures, stories, and journeys with the world.
What advice would you give to young people considering a career in the Medtech industry?
This is an important question. There are two parts to my answer. Firstly, our industry needs to be open to seriously considering those who do not have MedTech experience in their careers thus far, as they could bring novel approaches to the problems our industry is looking to solve. For young people, there is no higher calling than being part of a solution that saves, improves, and extends the lives of all human beings. Upon leaving school, one may not be aware of this higher calling, yet certain events may lead to a reevaluation of one's work and how it can make a difference. MedTech presents this opportunity. It is rare for individuals to leave the MedTech industry after they enter it; those who do often return shortly after exiting. Our industry could benefit from greater outreach to high schools, vocational schools, and universities, to spread the message of what we do.
Learn more about Joe Mullings and his companies:
Joe Mullings: https://joemullings.com
The Mulling Group: https://mullingsgroup.com
Dragonfly Stories: https://dragonflymedia.io
TrueFuture TV: https://truefuture.tv
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