Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors has named Alex Gorsky CEO of J&J effective April 26, 2012, the date of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.  

Gorsky, currently vice chairman of J&J’s Executive Committee, succeeds Bill Weldon, who served as CEO since 2002. As CEO, Gorsky will assume full management responsibilities for J&J, including those currently reporting to him and to Weldon.   

Gorsky began his J&J career in 1988 and advanced over the next 15 years through positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, and management. In 2001, he was appointed president of Janssen, and in 2003 he was promoted to company group chairman of J&J’s pharmaceuticals business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. After a brief stint with Novartis, Gorsky returned to J&J as company group chairman and worldwide franchise chairman for Ethicon in the medical devices business and has been climbing the ladder ever since.

Gorsky was also nominated for election to the board of directors.