MERCK SENIOR VP LEWENT ADDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SCOLNICK ADDS MANUFACTURING

MERCK SENIOR VP LEWENT ADDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SCOLNICK ADDS MANUFACTURING in redelegations of senior & exec oversight related to the departure of Exec VP John Zabriskie to Upjohn. Judy Lewent, chief financial officer, will take on the senior management role in Merck's public affairs functions, including Washington lobbying activities. Merck's worldwide manufacturing operations will be headed by a new president of manufacturing, Bernard Kelley, who will report to Exec VP Edward Scolnick. The public affairs and manufacturing functions were the two primary responsibilities previously filled by Zabriskie as an exec VP. The third component of Zabriskie's position, oversight of the specialty chemicals group, the Kelco Division, was given to Exec VP Francis Spiegel, who will continue to be responsible for strategic planning, the external growth program, licensing, human resources, internal auditing and joint ventures. Scolnick, a longtime Vagelos protege, has been the most visible of the executive group outside the company. He has appeared frequently at public appearances with Vagelos before the financial community and accompanied Vagelos to the unveiling of the National AIDS Drug Development Task Force Nov. 30. Lewent has received attention as one of the high-ranking women execs at a major U.S. company. The new position may further that visibility. She recently appeared as a witness at a Senate Labor & Human Resources Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Dodd (D-Conn.) on the impact of the health reform bill on the drug industry ("The Pink Sheet" Nov. 22, p. 6) Treasurer Michael Atieh assumes the direct responsibility for public affairs and government relations, moving to VP-public affairs effective Jan. 1. Atieh succeeds Albert Angel, who is retiring at the end of the year. Atieh formerly headed Merck's Washington office before returning to corporate headquarters as treasurer. Under Lewent and Atieh, Merck has been more aggressive in blending financial information and political positioning. Manufacturing president Kelley is moving up from a senior VP position in the manufacturing division. Kelley joined Merck in 1967 as an engineer, and since then has held positions in quality control, pharmaceutical production, packaging operations, technical services and materials management. In 1991, he became senior VP-administration, planning and quality for the manufacturing division, and in August 1993 was named senior VP- operations. Kelley will report to Scolnick, who holds the positions of exec VP-science and technology and president of Merck Research Labs. Scolnick will also continue to have responsibility for the Merck AgVet Division and Corporate Computer Resources.