Marilyn founded Motion Designs in 1979, less
than one year after her life-altering hang gliding
accident, to manufacture and market her revolutionary
Quickie wheelchair. In 1986 the company was sold
to Sunrise Medical, where Marilyn served for
21 years as in various roles including most recently
as Vice President of Global Strategic Planning,
developing a new generation of power wheelchairs.
Marilyn’s entrepreneurship, innovations
and leadership did not go unnoticed, as she received
numerous industry, state and national awards
and recognitions, including being named California
Business Woman of the Year in 1984.
Business & Personal
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2007 California Polytechnic University Alumni
of the Year - Education
2006 California Governor & First
Lady Maria Shriver Minerva Award
2005 NSCIA Hall of Fame Award
2005 Wheels For Humanity Freedom of Mobility
Award
2003 Co-Founder Discovery Through Design
2000 Fresno Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Award
2000 President George Bush Award - MC ADA Anniversary
Houston, Texas
2000 Smithsonian’s National Museum of American
History Exhibit
1998 Central California Excellence in Business
Award
1998 California Governor’s Hall of Fame
for People with Disabilities
1996 Advertising Award - 1996 Paralympic Games
1994 National Rehab Hospital - National Victory
Award
1991 Founder Winners on Wheels
1990 Good Shepherd Hall of Fame
1986 National Women’s Economic Alliance
Business Leadership Award
1985 President Ronald Reagan Inauguration Attendee
1984 SBA Western Regional Business of the Year
1984 California Business Women of the Year
1983 California Polytechnic University Alumni
of the Year
1979 Co-Founder Motion Designs Inc.
1967 National Raisin
Queen
