June 23, 2017
By Mark Terry, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff
Glassdoor recently ranked the top CEOs based on employee surveys. Four life science chief executives ranked in the top 62. Here’s a look.
1. Boston Scientific Corporation
Based in Marlborough, Mass., Boston Scientific Corporation is a global marketer of medical devices. Its chief executive, Michael Mahoney, ranked number three on the Glassdoor list, with 99 percent employee approval. There are almost a thousand reviews on the site, but examples include, “The people are great. The mission is one to get behind—helping people around the world with life saving/quality of life technologies.”
The same reviewer noted, however, that there was “Lack of diversity within leadership. Old guard in leadership roles.”
Another employee, who had been there less than a year, said, “Boston Scientific has a terrific tone at the top and a very collaborative culture. It’s an environment where people are always willing to help one another.”
Mahoney is both chief executive officer and chairman of the board. He joined the company as president in 2011, and became CEO and board member a year later. He was elected chairman of the board in 2016. Prior to Boston Scientific, he was Worldwide Chairman of the Medical Devices and Diagnostics (MD&D) division of Johnson & Johnson .
Johnson & Johnson ’s Alex Gorsky ranked number 30 on the list, with 95 percent of employees citing approval.
One employee reviewer who has worked for the company more than five years, said, “Great mission and values (Credo) driven organization. Great products and a willingness to try new ways of doing things (but still has a hard time giving up the past).”
The same person noted the company’s cons as, “Political, complex to navigate and need to know people to navigate. Embraced diversity (which is good) but the drive for diversity has led to some less than perfect hires/promotions.”
Gorsky is chairman and chief executive officer. He started with J&J as a sales representative with Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1988. He advanced through increasing roles of responsibility until 2001, when he was made president of Janssen. In 2003, he was named Company Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceuticals business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Gorsky actually left the company in 2004 to join Novartis , where he headed the North America pharmaceutical business. He returned to J&J in 2008 as Company Group Chairman for Ethicon . He became CEO in 2012 and board chairman on December 28, 2013.
With headquarters in Kalamazoo, Mich., Stryker is a global medical device supplier. The company’s CEO Kevin Lobo ranked number 57 on the Glassdoor list with 92 percent employee approval.
An employee review said, “The people! Health Benefits. Value the company brings to its customers. Spirit of innovation. Focus on Engagement (but actual focus—not just talk about it). I’ve never felt so at home at a job before. The strengths-based approach to hiring and development makes for a fun, results-driven workplace. The teams that lead and drive this business forward are some of the best I’ve seen.”
The reviewer had been at the company more than three years and the only con noted was, “At times the focus on results can be daunting, but once you realize that you have a team around you that can and does help you get through it.”
Lobo is chairman and chief executive officer. He was appointed as chairman on July 22, 2014. He had been chief executive since October 2012. He joined the company in April 2011. He had previously been Group President of Orthopaedics. His previous positions included eight years at Johnson & Johnson, including chief financial officer of McNeil Consumer Healthcare and Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, and president of J&J Medical Products Canada.
Headquartered in North Chicago, Ill., AbbVie spun off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013. The company’s CEO Richard Gonzalez ranked number 62 in the Glassdoor list with 92 percent employee approval.
An employee said, “Excellent CEO with a clear vision for success; strong compensation packages; great progress toward the culture the company envisions.”
The same employee noted, “Be ready to work hard! Have made great strides to provide the opportunity for work/life balance, but it’s a lean company. IT systems can be frustrating.”
Both board chairman and chief executive officer, Rick Gonzalez was a 30-year Abbott veteran when AbbVie separated. He served as Executive Vice President, Pharmaceutical Products Group. He also served as president and chief operating officer.
