LEADERSHIP AT JOHNSON & JOHNSON Alex Gorsky becomes just the seventh CEO in the 126-year history of Johnson & Johnson, continuing a legacy of leadership.
When Alex Gorsky recently took over as just the seventh chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, he joined a short, though distinguished, list of leaders.
Since 1886, when three brothers- Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson - founded Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Company has been one of enduring strength. Johnson & Johnson has been privileged to play a role in helping millions of people the world over be well and stay well through more than a century of change. As the science of human health and well-being has evolved and expanded, Johnson & Johnson – and its executive leadership team – has grown along with it.
In fact, it’s Robert Wood Johnson, known as “The General,” who is, arguably, the person most responsible for building the early Johnson & Johnson into a major international business. The General was an incurable idealist and a prodigious generator of new ideas. One of this most important concepts was of businesses’ responsibility to society, more particularly, the responsibility Johnson & Johnson had.
This was first expressed in 1935 when he declared that business had a responsibility – he called it an obligation – to give something back to society in return for the privileges it enjoyed. Nearly 10 years later, he created Our Credo. And this, to this day, still clearly defines the commitment of Johnson & Johnson. The strength and endurance of Johnson & Johnson can be traced back to a consistent approach to managing our business, to the character of our people and leaders, and to Our Credo.
As Alex takes over the helm, he’ll be continuing a strong tradition of consistent leadership at Johnson & Johnson. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, and spent six years in the U.S. Army, finishing his military career with the rank of Captain. From there, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. He began his Johnson & Johnson career as a sales representative with Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. in 1988. Over the next 15 years, he advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, and management.
In 2001, Alex was appointed President of Janssen Pharmaceutical Inc., and in 2003, he was named Company Group Chairman of the Johnson & Johnsons pharmaceuticals business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He left Johnson & Johnson in 2004 to join the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, where he served as head of the company's pharmaceuticals business in North America. In 2008, Alex returned to Johnson & Johnson as Company Group Chairman for Ethicon. In early 2009, he was appointed Worldwide Chairman of the Surgical Care Group and member of the Executive Committee and in September 2009, he was appointed Worldwide Chairman of the Medical Devices and Diagnostics Group. In January 2011, Alex assumed the role of Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee.
In his new role as chief executive officer, Alex will carry on the goal of achieving meaningful innovation for patients around the world. Johnson & Johnson is well positioned to address the evolving market forces and opportunities that exist today, and the tradition of seamless leadership transition continue.
“I’ve given a lot of thought to the select group of extraordinary leaders who have come before me,” Gorsky said. “Their vision, integrity and values have built our Company into the enduring institution it has become. I am resolute in my determination to keep Our Credo as the foundation of Johnson & Johnson. It will remain at the core of what drives our actions.”
Johnson & Johnson is an extraordinary company, with a proud heritage of more than 125 years, and a future that promises more opportunities than ever before. The Company will continue to shape and lead the future of health care. And thanks to the extraordinary achievements and dedication of the leaders, and people, who make up Johnson & Johnson, it is better positioned today than at any time in recent history to deliver meaningful innovation to patients around the world.
To Read More:
Kilmer House Blog: Leadership Tradition
Our History
Our Management Approach
Corporate Governance