Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. said Thursday it hired Nader Rad as its new vice president and general counsel.

Rad, who has been with Toshiba for almost 22 years, will be responsible for the company's legal and regulatory affairs, and will head all interactions with the Food and Drug Administration, Toshiba said.

"Nader's extensive background in both the imaging industry and the legal field make him an ideal choice for this position," Donald Fowler, Toshiba's new president, said in a statement.

Rad first joined Toshiba in 1990 as associate general counsel. Before this promotion, he was serving as general counsel, Toshiba said.

Toshiba's U.S. medical branch, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate, is headquartered in Tustin, Calif.