10 Things You Didn’t Know about Johnson and Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky
There are very few true global brands out there, and among the few, Johnson & Johnson is probably one of the world’s leading household brand. The company has been around since 1886, and the fact that it’s still successful to this day is a true testament to the company’s vision and the people that had been driving that vision throughout the company’s history. The most recent leader in the company is Alex Gorsky, who has been serving as CEO since 2012. He’s only the 7th Chairman and CEO since the company started, and it seems he’s going to be CEO for a while. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Johnson & Johnson’s CEO Alex Gorsky.
1. Military veteran
Gorsky is an avid supporter of the armed forces and for good reason: he’s a military veteran. He graduated from Westpoint in 1982 and served as an Army Ranger. Gorsky was a captain when he finished his military career. These days, he mentors veterans by assisting them as they transition into civilian life.
2. Active leader
Gorsky is quite the hands-on leader. He believes that the best way to solve the global issues concerning public health is to take on an active and aggressive approach. Gorsky travels all over the world to promote awareness and to meet with global leaders and organizations, creating partnerships that could produce positive results.
3. The ninth leader
When Johnson & Johnson was first established, leadership was established in a different fashion. So even though Gorsky is only the 7th CEO and Chairman, He’s actually the 9th leader of the company. Even then, it’s not a high number considering the company has been around for 132 years.
4. Innovation supporter
Gorsky is passionate about healthcare. His drive and his willingness to work towards the betterment of the industry are evident in his ventures and his activity ever since he took on the role of CEO. He believes that innovation is the only way healthcare could be propelled into a positive and successful future.
5. Work/life balance
Gorsky believes that every person should maintain proper work/life balance in order to lead more productive lives. He believes that this is the key for the 21st century workforce to lead into the future. Gorsky established a program that engages and educates his employees toward better health and wellness through proper balance between their lives at work and their lives at home.
6. Equality and diversity
Gorsky is a leader that believes in encouraging diversity of opinion in the workplace. Under his leadership, Johnson & Johnson has become one of the most diverse companies throughout the world. The company is actually took the top spot for the 2018 DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity. Gorsky emphasizes that prioritizing diversity and inclusion is key to the successful future of global businesses.
7. Family life
Gorsky credits his parents and his five siblings for his successes. He grew up in Freemont, Michigan and came from a family of hardworking people, who only expect the best out of each other. He also comes from a family that works in the healthcare field, bringing the industry closer to home for him than anything else.
8. The good cause
Gorsky is just one of those people who would do anything for a good cause. You could just say that he’s probably genuinely a good man. He participates in different charities in order to raise awareness and raise funds for various organizations. He has participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS; he has participated in the TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon, and he has even raised $500k for cancer research and treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
9. Total compensation
It’s easier to do good for the world when you’ve got deep pockets, and Gorsky’s pockets are deeper than most. His reported executive compensation is $22,843,420, but out of that number, his actual salary is only $1.6 million.
10. Education and accolades
Gorsky attended and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania after he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from West Point. He even has an Honorary Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He’s been awarded with the Joseph Wharton Leadership award and the CADCA Humanitarian of the Year Award.
