AbbVie has announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously selected Robert A. Michael, AbbVie’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Richard A. Gonzalez as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO). Gonzalez, who has served as CEO since 2013, will retire from the role of CEO and become Executive Chairman, effective July 1, 2024. Additionally, the company’s board has appointed Michael as a member of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024. 

Prior to AbbVie’s separation from Abbott in January 2013, Gonzalez was a 30-year Abbott veteran. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Abbott and held various senior leadership positions in Abbott’s Medical Products businesses, including: President and Chief Operating Officer of the Medical Products Group; Senior Vice President and President of the former Hospital Products Division; Vice President and President of the Health Systems Division; and Divisional Vice President and General Manager for Diagnostics Operations in the United States and Canada. 

As a member of AbbVie’s Executive Leadership Team, Michael is responsible for global commercial operations, finance, corporate human resources, global operations, business development and corporate strategy for the company. Previously, he served as Vice Chairman and President. Michael has 31 years of experience, including leadership roles across multiple businesses, including pharmaceuticals, aesthetics, diagnostics, diabetes care, and nutrition. He began his career with Abbott as a member of the financial development program and ultimately served as Division Controller, Nutrition Supply Chain and Division Controller, and Molecular Diagnostics, among other roles.  

Upon AbbVie’s separation from Abbott in 2013, Michael took the role of Vice President, AbbVie Financial Planning and Analysis. He then held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including: Vice President, Controller for Commercial Operations; Vice President, Treasurer; and Vice President, Corporate Controller. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2018, Vice Chairman, Finance and Commercial Operations in 2021, Vice Chairman and President in 2022, and President and Chief Operating Officer in 2023. 

Source: AbbVie