MedAssets Inc. (NASD: MDAS) appointed Michael Nolte as executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. MedAssets is a provider of spend management for healthcare firms, including a vendor management (VMS) system for the healthcare industry.

Nolte replaces Rand Ballard, who previously held the title of chief operating officer and will continue to serve as senior executive vice president, chief customer officer and as a member of MedAssets’ board of directors.

Before joining MedAssets, Nolte most recently served as vice president and general manager of the Americas Services business for GE Healthcare IT overseeing more than 1,700 staff members.