Watson Pharmaceuticals today announced that Robert A. Stewart has joined the company inthe newly created position of Senior Vice President, Global Operations,effective immediately. In this position, Mr. Stewart will have responsibilityfor global manufacturing, supply chain, quality and technical operations.The Company also announced that Thomas R. Russillo, Executive VicePresident and President of the Generics Division, has been named ExecutiveVice President, Global Generics and will head the Company's newly formedGlobal Generics commercial function. In this position, Mr. Russillo will haveoverall responsibility for generic sales and marketing for the U.S. andCanada, as well for all international markets that will be added to Watsonfollowing completion of the acquisition of the Arrow Group. Both Mr. Stewartand Mr. Russillo report to Paul Bisaro, President and Chief Executive Officerof Watson.
"As we prepare to maximize our global footprint following the acquisitionof the Arrow Group, we are refining our management structure in ways that willenhance our ability to aggressively capitalize on expanded opportunities,"said Bisaro. "Bob brings more than 20 years of experience in globalpharmaceutical supply chain management, including experience in all aspects ofquality and manufacturing management, in addition to broad experience withAPIs and solid, semi-solid, biologics, sterile and liquid dosage forms. Bycentralizing all quality and supply chain functions under his leadership, wecan ensure that we more effectively continue to pursue additional cost andoperational efficiencies under our Global Supply Chain Initiative andOperational Excellence programs. In addition, Bob's extensive internationalexperience will help us maximize the increased international capabilities wegain following the closing of the Arrow acquisition."
"Tom assumes a critical role in our evolving corporate structure formanaging our global generic sales and marketing and commercial functions,"Bisaro continued. "By creating this Global Generics commercial structure, wewill look to Tom to develop the strategies that will strengthen and growWatson's and Arrow's current product portfolios and market positions aroundthe world. He will also have responsibility for ensuring that our commercialneeds are appropriately aligned with new product R&D and that Watsonefficiently expands its generics position with key product introductionsacross the 20 countries in which we will operate, including established,expanding and emerging markets."
Mr. Stewart joins Watson following an eight year career at AbbottLaboratories, where he most recently served as Divisional Vice President,Global Supply Chain. From 2005 until 2008 he served as Divisional VicePresident, Quality Assurance. Prior to this position, Mr. Stewart was Abbott'sDivisional Vice President for US/ Puerto Rico and Latin America PlantOperations, as well as Director of Operations for Abbott's Whippany plant.Prior to Abbott, he worked for Knoll Pharmaceutical Company and HoffmanLa-Roche Inc.
Mr. Russillo was appointed Executive Vice President and President of theGenerics Division in 2006. Prior to joining Watson, he served as a consultantto the Company in connection with the Company's integration planning relatedto the acquisition of Andrx. From January 2005 until September 2006 Mr.Russillo served as a consultant to various clients in the pharmaceuticalindustry. From 1990 through 2004, he was President of Ben Venue Laboratories,a division of Boehringer Ingelheim. Prior to Ben Venue, he held a number ofsenior positions with Baxter International.