SCOTT T. GARRETT
CEO, President
Beckman Coulter Inc.
Born in Milwaukee, Jan. 19, 1950
Lives in Lemon Heights
In third year as head of county’s largest medical technology company by sales. Starting off year with a bang: $1.55 billion offer for Biosite, San Diego maker of profitable tests for heart diseases, drugs, intestinal parasites.
Battle on hands. Inverness Medical Innovations of Waltham, Mass., countered with $1.6 billion Biosite bid. Garrett has sought to downplay bid as “speculative,” so far sticking to Beckman Coulter’s offer, itself a 50% premium.
Seeing gains from 2005 change on how Beckman accounts for leases of equipment to run medical tests. Sales now spread over life of lease. Change brings recurring revenue from supplies, chemistry kits, services, lease payments.
Initial impact: slower sales growth. Last year, up 3% to $2.5 billion. But lease change, other restructuring boosted profits 24% to $187 million. Now looking to boost cash flow.
Boosted efficiency last year by opening large Chino distribution center, reduced suppliers, contracted out some manufacturing.
Faces stepped-up competition from rivals. Sees growth in tests, instruments that automate procedures as key.
Joined Beckman in 2002 as head of clinical diagnostics. Spent about 20 years at Baxter International. Served as chief executive of Dade Behring, Beckman rival that evolved out of Baxter in the 1990s.
One of several local device bosses to come out of Baxter, including fellow OC 50er Michael Mussallem. Did deals between stints at Baxter, Beckman Coulter. Founded Garrett Capital Advisors, healthcare investor with Banc One Venture Partners.
Beckman has strong reputation, deep history in county. Employs 11,400 people, 2,540 in OC. More than 200,000 instruments in use worldwide. Started in 1935. Founder Arnold Beckman died three years ago at 104.
Makes centrifuges, DNA, automated testing systems for body fluids, blood cells, compounds.
Garrett, like predecessor, longtime Beckman chief John Wareham, has businesslike manner. Low key, pleasant personality. Cites Wareham as mentor, influence.
Holds bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University in Indiana, business master’s from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Married to Susan, two grown children. Enjoys reading (history, politics, business), playing guitar, golfing, family vacations.
,Vita Reed
LAWRENCE MEAD HIGBY
Chief Executive
Apria Healthcare Group Inc.
Born in Pomona, June 15, 1945
Lives in Newport Beach (Lido Isle)
Seeing shares soar since September, as Wall Street seems to have put home healthcare provid-er’s Medicare business into perspective.
Lobbied to beat back proposed Medicare cuts that would have affected how government pays for breathing gear for patients at home. Traveled to Washington, D.C., to tell legislators, policymakers how changes could affect patients.
Wall Street sent shares up about 60% in past six months or so. Recent market value of $1.5 billion.
Company provides home drug infusion treatments, respirators, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, other products to people in their homes.
Has grown company by purchasing mom-and-pop providers. Diverse: 36% of revenue from Medicare, Medicaid; private insurers make up bulk of revenue.
Company created 12 years ago from combination of Abbey Healthcare Group, Homedco Group.
Was Apria’s president, COO before. Succeeded turnaround specialist, past OC 50er Philip Carter, who worked to turn around Apria with Higby.
Arrived at Apria through Homedco faction once led by OC 50er George Argyros, who resigned as Apria director in 1998.
Pre-Apria career includes running 76 Products, oil refining, marketing arm of Unocal. Negotiated 76 Products’ 1996 sale to Tosco for $2.1 billion.
Political career included serving as principal aide to H.R. Haldeman, President Nixon’s chief of staff. Mentioned in Bob Woodward’s “The Secret Man.” Deep Throat Mark Felt recalled Higby as “most notorious” of administration’s “eager beavers” who pressed FBI for answers to routine questions. Was so efficient, administrative assistants became known as “Higbys.”
Member, former chairman of New Majority. Big backer of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
One of several execs to meet with NFL officials last year over possible Anaheim team.
Bachelor’s in political science from UCLA, attended business school there.
Last year, joined board of William Lyon Homes, one of group of replacement directors for those who stepped down two years ago after OC 50er Gen. William Lyon’s failed first bid to take company private.
On boards of UCI Medical Center, Performing Arts Center, UCLA Board of Visitors. Board president, South Coast Repertory.
Wife Dee, former chair of South Coast Repertory. Three sons, daughter, ages 27 to 35. Likes skiing, jogging, golf, theater, sailing.
,Vita Reed
MICHAEL ALBERT MUSSALLEM
Chairman, Chief Executive
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
Born in Gary, Ind., Nov. 21, 1952.
Lives in Laguna Beach
Continuing on proven path of heart valves, put flirt with diversification in past years in back mirror.
Heavily invested in new type of heart valve that doesn’t require major surgery. Hopes to stake spot as leader in emerging market.
In March, got Food and Drug Administration go-ahead on study for Sapien valve inserted through catheter on 600 patients too high-risk for conventional open-heart surgery.
Got into less-invasive valves through 2004 buy of Percutaneous Valve Technologies, New Jersey up-and-comer.
Lots of cash. Could make technology buys close to core business. Analysts, from time to time, have expressed mild concerns about sustainability of growth. Occasional subject of takeover rumors.
Yearly sales of $1 billion. Besides heart valve replacement, repair devices, sells heart-monitoring catheters, vascular treatments, FloTrac, minimally invasive cardiac surgery sensor. Manufacturing in Irvine, Utah, Europe, Latin America, Japan.
Plays big role at company, no No. 2. Still, others describe him as hands-off. Stresses “creative debate” among team. On conference room wall, has picture of tornado to encourage discussion.
Big on managing talent. For each of company’s 75 critical positions, two or more employees pegged as possible replacements.
Few years ago, made some moves to diversify into stents for treating enlarged hearts, other areas. Effort later cut in favor of core cardiovascular efforts.
Company established in 2000 spinoff from Baxter International.
Only boss Edwards has known in seven years as stand-alone public company. Mussallem joined Baxter in 1979 after working at Union Carbide.
Was named president of Baxter’s critical care division, group VP of surgical group in 1994.
Assumed oversight of cardiovascular business from 1995 to spinoff.
Inherited business with historical legacy in OC, early heart valves.
On boards of Advanced Medical Optics, Octane, of which he’s cofounding board member. Also on California Healthcare Institute board, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable.
Chairman-elect of trade group AdvaMed. Has pushed for easier access for U.S. devices in global markets. Advocates innovation through California Healthcare Institute work.
Bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. Honorary doctorate from Rose-Hulman.
Married to wife Linda for 31 years. No children.
Enjoys jogging, skiing. Die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. Interested in projects for people with special needs. Brother has Down syndrome. Of Lebanese heritage.
,Vita Reed
DAVID EDMUND IAN PYOTT
Chairman, Chief Executive
Allergan Inc.
Born in London, Oct. 13, 1953
Lives in San Juan Capistrano
Moving into new era, thanks to last year’s $3.2 billion buy of Inamed. Allergan now firmly rooted in medical cosmetics,wrinkle removers, smoothers, breast implants, obesity treatment.
Seeking new uses for Botox, company’s core drug used for wrinkles, taming neck spasms. Clinical trials ongoing for Botox as migraine treatment. Botox sales last year surpassed $1 billion mark. “Kind of rolls off the tongue well, Botox and billion,” he says.
Allergan also makes eye, skin drugs. Eyes are company’s historical bailiwick. Moving along with trials of memantine, pill Allergan says may be first to prevent loss of visual function in treatment of glaucoma.
Took over Allergan in 1998, succeeding longtime leader William Shepherd. During nine years at Allergan, shifted money to research, development, sales, marketing.
Well-traveled, soft-spoken, worldly sort with dry sense of humor, lilting, refined Scottish brogue.
Joined Sandoz, later Novartis, in 1980. Spent more than 15 years with company in various positions, including head of Sandoz Nutrition unit in 1995 to 1997.
Board memberships include Edwards Lifesciences, Pacific Life, Avery Dennison, UCI business school, Pan American Ophthalmologic Foundation, Foundation for American Academy of Ophthalmology, California Healthcare Institute, International Council of Ophthalmology Foundation, Cosmetic Surgery Foundation, Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Chair, UCI Chief Executive Roundtable.
Highly educated. Holds diplomas in German, European law from Europa Institute at University of Amsterdam, master’s from University of Edinburgh, business master’s from London Business School.
In 2006, received Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth for contributions to British business excellence, management skills in the U.S.
Raised in India, educated in Scotland. Fluent in English, German, French, Spanish. Conducted multilingual interview with Robert Grant, president of Allergan Medical unit.
Known for frugality. Office still has much of same furniture Gavin Herbert Jr. used during his time as Allergan’s head. Some flash: drives snazzy Aston Martin.
Married to Julianna with four children. Enjoys playing tennis. Has house in Bavarian Alps, goes for retreats from voice mail, e-mail. Says had some of best ideas walking through woods there.
,Vita Reed
TIMOTHY CYRIL TYSON
Chief Executive, President
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
Born in Hornell, N.Y., April 14, 1952
Lives in Newport Coast
Ongoing makeover of Valeant took big step in 2006. Moved drug maker from longtime Costa Mesa campus to new base in Aliso Viejo. Recently sold Costa Mesa campus for $38 million.
Guided Valeant through SEC informal probe of backdated stock options in past year. Valeant restated results for several years, came up with relatively modest $23 million bill to fix misdated options.
Has scored some successes, including with Kinerase, “cosmeceutical” skincare line. Done selected deals, such as a $113.5 million 2006 deal for Infergen, hepatitis C drug.
Awaiting results of clinical trial for taribavirin, hepatitis C treatment Valeant hopes will supplant longtime flagship ribavirin.
Valeant’s old days as ICN Pharmaceuticals firmly in background, particularly with move, sale of Costa Mesa campus. Focusing efforts on several key products, including taribavirin, epilepsy treatment Retigabine, Zelapar, Infergen, Cesamet, which treats chemotherapy-induced nausea.
2006 revenue was up 10% to $907 million. Ribavirin royalties, nipped by generic competition, fell 11% to $81.2 million. New product sales, restructuring that saved $30 million helped results.
Has surrounded himself with team of experienced drug execs. Many say they’re at the company because of Tyson.
Arrived at Valeant in 2002 from GlaxoSmithKline. Previously president of global manufacturing, supply for GlaxoSmithKline in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Started career at Procter & Gamble. Later joined Bristol-Myers.
Grew up in upstate New York, left hometown at 14 when railroad went bankrupt, dad lost job. Family moved to Ithaca, where dad, retired Marine, got computer programming job at Cornell University.
Served five years in Army, 1974 graduate of West Point.
Received MBA, master’s of public administration from Jacksonville State University in Alabama.
Three years ago, graduation speaker at his Dryden High School in upstate New York. “As a small-town boy of modest means, I could never had imagined my life as it is today,” he told graduates.
Down-home demeanor. Deliberate, focused, attentive to detail. Used to pick up guitar, sing to sales force at Glaxo.
Married more than 30 years to Amy, sister’s best friend from high school. One son, corporate film producer in New York whose wife works for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
,Vita Reed
JAMES VITO MAZZO
Chairman, President, Chief Executive
Advanced Medical Optics Inc.
Born in Oak Park, Ill., May 11, 1957
Lives in Laguna Beach
Forged major eye surgery products company from castaway Allergan products.
Just completed $808 million buy of Irvine eye laser maker IntraLase. Deal set to bolster company as leader in laser vision correction devices.
Third major acquisition in as many years. Earlier deals: 2005’s $1.3 billion buy of Santa Clara laser device maker Visx, $450 million buy of Pfizer Inc.’s eye surgery unit in 2004.
Coming off rough patch in other part of business, contact lens solutions, which make up about quarter of $1 billion in yearly sales. In November, recalled some 3 million bottles of Complete MoisturePlus lens solution because of contamination problems in China.
Moved swiftly on recall, recovery. Three of four production lines back up. Fourth expected later this quarter.
Company created in 2002 through spinoff from Allergan, led by fellow OC 50er David Pyott.
Mazzo led business as part of Allergan. Pyott describes as “passionate Allergan employee” who first balked at spinoff. Won over on prospect of leading, building company.
Spent 22 years with Allergan. Jobs included serving as corporate VP, president of ophthalmic surgical, contact lens care businesses. Spent 12 years outside U.S. as president of Allergan’s Europe, Africa, Middle East region, along with other jobs in Italy, Northern Europe, Canada.
Active on many boards. Several related to UC Irvine, Chapman University, University of San Diego. Only executive from eye sector to serve on board of trade group AdvaMed. Also on Octane board.
Bachelor’s in zoology, secondary emphasis in chemistry from California State University, Long Beach.
Athletic in youth. Played second base, was football quarterback. Coaches team in UCI Basketball Extravaganza, fund-raiser for scholarships.
,Vita Reed
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