CHAIRMAN, FORMER CEO, EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES
WHY: First and longtime CEO of Orange County’s largest MedTech employer, with about 4,500 workers and 14,000 worldwide. The Irvine-based heart valve maker is OC’s most valuable public company in the healthcare sector, sporting a $41B market cap as of October.
IN THE NEWS: Retired as CEO this year but will keep his title as chairman. In his final conference call, Edwards boosted the 2023 revenue forecast to the high end of $5.6B to $6B.
NOTABLE: The Business Journal this January named Mussallem its Businessperson of the Year in the health sector.
QUOTABLE: “I’m proud of Edwards’ continued dedication in providing innovative technologies and solutions for patients fighting cardiovascular disease and also restoring the critically ill to health.”