BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. announced today that Vinit K. Asar has joined the organization as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, effective immediately. Reporting to Hanger President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas F. Kirk, Asar will have responsibility for leading the identification, development, and execution of new opportunities for Hanger's existing operations, as well as launching new businesses consistent with the company's overall growth strategy. "We're very pleased to welcome Vinit to Hanger," Kirk said. "His extensive background growing businesses within health services and products aligns very well with Hanger's commitment to strategic growth and disciplined operational diversity." Joining Hanger from Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Asar brings nearly 20 years of extensive global experience developing new health product and service businesses and growing existing organizations, both organically and through acquisitions. Additionally, Asar has held positions in finance, global product management, sales and marketing, and product development at J&J. Asar holds a BS in Business Administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI and an MBA from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's premier provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services. Hanger is the market leader in the United States, owning and operating 677 patient care centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia, with over 3,500 employees including 1,080 practitioners (as of September 30, 2008). Hanger is organized into four units. The two key operating units are patient care, which consists of nationwide orthotic and prosthetic practice centers, and distribution which consists of distribution centers managing the supply chain of orthotic and prosthetic componentry to Hanger and third party patient care centers. The third is Linkia, which is the first and only provider network management company for the orthotics and prosthetics industry. The fourth unit, Innovative Neurotronics, introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide. For more information on Innovative Neurotronics, Inc. or the WalkAide(R), visit http://www.ininc.us/. For more information on Hanger, visit http://www.hanger.com/. This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company's revenues, contracts and operations. The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Statements relating to future revenues, contracts and operations in this document reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the Company's ability to enter into and derive benefits from managed care contracts, the demand for the Company's orthotic and prosthetic services and products and the other factors identified in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts: Jennifer Bittner, 904-249-2410, Ken Abod, 301-280-4505, DATASOURCE: Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. CONTACT: Jennifer Bittner, +1-904-249-2410, , or Ken Abod, +1-301-280-4505, , both of Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. Web Site: http://www.hanger.com/

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