Executive Decisions Roundup
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Pharmavite CFO; RB Pharmaceuticals CFO; NBTY chief customer officer; Public health VP for USP; Naturally Splendid president; Promotions at Life Extension; and Favre represents Copper Fit.
Pharmavite CFO
[Pharmavite LLC] appoints Nitin Deshpande chief financial officer, responsible for all areas of finance and accounting including business planning and analysis for the Northridge, Calif.-based subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Deshpande has more than 30 years of experience and most recently was senior VP of finance at Elizabeth Arden Inc. He also was with Procter & Gamble Co. for more than 20 years in leadership positions including CFO for South Korea, Northeast Asia and other regions and for P&G's global hair colorants business based in Stamford, Conn.
RB Pharmaceuticals CFO
Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. names Cary Claiborne CFO to lead the company's global financial and information technology operations. The Richmond, Va.-based specialty pharma said Nov. 4 that Claiborne joins Reckitt from his previous post as CFO of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc.andwill report to CEO Shaun Thaxter, effective Nov. 10. “Cary was selected based on his unique combination of operational and pharmaceutical experience, which is expected to help drive value creation for shareholders,” the Northridge, Calif.-based company says. Claiborne also held positions at New Generation Biofuels, Osiris Therapeutics, Constellation Energy and Home Depot, among other firms.
NBTY chief customer officer
Vitamin and nutritional supplement manufacturer, marketer, distributor and retailer [NBTY Inc.] hires Andrew Archambault to the newly created position of chief customer officer, responsible for executing customer strategy, increasing customer loyalty and retention and ensuring a consistent customer experience across the wholesale retail network. The firm on Nov. 4 said Archambault replaces Rich Scoza, president of U.S. Nutrition, on the executive team. Scoza is stepping down from his position. “Andrew is a tremendous leader with an outstanding track record of building brands and developing world-class customer engagement strategies,” NBTY President and CEO Steve Cahillane states in a release.
Public health VP for USP
Kelly Willis takes on the role of senior VP of the U.S. Pharmacopeia’s Global Public Health programs, a position in which she will advance work with existing and new public health projects. Rockville, Md.-based USP said on Nov. 3. Willis will work closely with the organization’s executive team and board of trustees to develop and execute a strategy for global public health and will serve as a public champion for USP initiatives in that area. She will also head fundraising and development functions for four public health programs: Promoting the Quality of Medicines, Center for Pharmaceutical Advancement and Training, Technical Assistance Program and Official Medicines Control Laboratory Networks. Willis previously served as executive director of Accordia Global Health Foundation, and has held positions at Pfizer Inc., Monsanto Co. and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Naturally Splendid president
Charles Brink becomes president of Naturally Splendid USA Ltd. after working with the firm the past two years while serving on the boards of Full Spectrum Laboratories Ltd. and Boreal Technologies Inc., two companies he founded. In an Oct. 20 announcement, Naturally Splendid notes the appointment follows Naturally Splendid's letter of intent to license FSL's cannabinoid extraction and patented formulation technologies, which will grant Naturally Splendid advanced technologies to allow for the development of cannabinoid-based nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products and therapies, according to the Vancouver, B.C., firm. Brink will oversee long-term strategic planning, the development of a professional management team, regulatory compliance and the creation of a manufacturing and distribution infrastructure in the U.S. to prepare for the launch of hemp extracted cannabinoid formulated products and services in 2015, according to Naturally Splendid.
Promotions at Life Extension
Dietary supplement firm Life Extension promotes Connie Richter to VP of purchasing from director of purchasing, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based firm announces Oct. 29. Richter will oversee purchasing and supply chain operations for the firm, which markets products focused on anti-aging and integrative health therapies. Life Extension also tapped Mark Miller as executive director of research and development. Previously VP for R&D for AdvoCare, Miller will oversee product development.
Retired NFL star Favre represents Copper Fit
Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre made his debut as brand ambassador for Copper Fit in “Life After Football” ads that began airing in September, the firm recently announced. The brand features a line of copper-infused elbow and knee compression sleeves designed to support muscles and joints. Many athletes wear compression sleeves to keep muscles warm and to relieve muscle and joint pain, the Wallingford, Conn., firm notes. The sleeves are infused with copper ions to help protect the garment against bacteria. “To have a legendary professional athlete like Brett as a Copper Fit Brand Ambassador is a real honor,” says CopperFit CEO Andy Khubani. Favre previously served as spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s Sensodyne toothpastes.