Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced that Mike McMullen, senior vice president, Agilent, and president of the company's Chemical Analysis Group (CAG), will succeed William (Bill) Sullivan as CEO on March 18, 2015. Sullivan will remain as an advisor through the end of the company's fiscal year, Oct. 31, 2015, when he will retire.
As a first step in the transition, Agilent's board of directors has appointed McMullen president and chief operating officer, effective immediately.
"This transition is the culmination of our succession planning, and comes at a time of strength as Agilent begins to deliver the shareholder benefits of the recent spinoff of its electronic measurement business," said James Cullen, chairman of Agilent's board of directors. "Bill has been an excellent CEO, providing strong leadership in evolving Agilent's portfolio from diversified technology to its current focus on life sciences, diagnostics and applied markets. He has exceptional vision and an extraordinary drive to achieve outstanding results."
Sullivan, 64, has been president and CEO of Agilent since March 2005. He joined Hewlett-Packard, Agilent's predecessor company, in 1976.
"I am very proud of what our teams have accomplished over the past 10 years," said Sullivan. "Agilent's re-launch is the perfect time to begin the CEO transition. Mike is an excellent choice to lead the company. He transformed CAG, reshaping its portfolio and championing key acquisitions that have resulted in a consistent, market-leading record of profitable growth."
"Mike has the depth of experience, market knowledge and inspiring leadership style that will make him an outstanding CEO," Sullivan added. "It is a great opportunity to further leverage the skills of an Agilent executive with an exceptional track record."
McMullen, 53, has been senior vice president, Agilent, and president of the company's CAG since 2009.
As president and COO, McMullen will be responsible for the company's businesses, CAG and Life Sciences and Diagnostics Group, Order Fulfillment and the newly formed Agilent CrossLab Group, as well as the global organization that houses IT, workplace services, global sourcing and logistics.
McMullen joined Hewlett-Packard Co. in 1984 as a financial analyst in the Analytical Products Group. Since then he has served in various senior management positions. As president of Agilent's Chemical Analysis business, he was responsible for companywide organizations in the chemical and energy, food and environmental markets, as well as the services and consumables business for CAG and Life Sciences.
"It is an honor to have been asked to lead Agilent and our very talented teams into the future," McMullen said. "Agilent is a great company that is well positioned to tap new opportunities in life sciences, diagnostics and applied markets. Our strategy is compelling and will create value for our shareholders. I am excited about working with the teams to execute on our plans."
"Our focus remains where it has always been—on our customers, supporting their everyday goals in the laboratory as well as their big, world-changing breakthroughs," he said.
