NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas--The Scooter Store said Tuesday that company President Mike Pfister is leaving to become chief information officer for Halliburton.

When Pfister joined The Scooter Store in 2003, the power mobility industry faced serious challenges from impending changes in power mobility documentation, coding, coverage and pricing policies, founder and CEO Doug Harrison said in a statement. "Largely because of Mike's leadership, The Scooter Store, as well as the industry, has survived these many changes and are poised for success in the future.

"One of Mike's biggest contributions," Harrison continued, "was never letting us lose our compass--he kept our team focused on the fact that the Medicare beneficiary came first and foremost and that it was our responsibility as the largest supplier of mobility equipment in America to ensure that people living with disabilities continued to have access to a mobility benefit that could improve their quality of life."

Early last month, The Scooter Store laid off 200 employees, blaming Medicare reimbursement cuts for power wheelchairs and scooters. (See HomeCare Monday, Dec. 4.)

Houston-based Halliburton offers oil and gas production services in 120 countries. Its KBR subsidiary is a major construction company for pipelines and refineries.