Dentsply Sirona Terminates CEO Don Casey

Yesterday, Dentsply Sirona announced it had terminated CEO Don Casey, who will also cease to serve as a board member of the company. The company did not say why Casey was terminated.
 
Board member John Groetelaars was immediately appointed interim CEO and the board has begun the search to identify the company’s next CEO.
 
Groetelaars served as president and CEO of Hillrom from May 2018 until its acquisition in December 2021 by Baxter. He was also previously exec VP and president of BD’s Interventional segment following its purchase of C.R. Bard, where he worked for 10 years in a variety of progressive roles.
 
“We are pleased to welcome John as Dentsply Sirona’s Interim CEO,” non-executive Dentsply Sirona board chairman Eric Brandt told the press. “John has a strong track record of driving innovative business strategies, and as a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of industry experience, he is uniquely positioned to lead our company during this transition period. John is the right leader to bring continuity and guide Dentsply Sirona’s execution of its key strategic initiatives to create sustainable value for our shareholders. As the Board conducts its search for a permanent CEO, we are focused on finding a candidate with a track record of world-class execution and operational expertise who can position the company for the future.”
 
“I look forward to serving as Interim CEO during this important time for the company,” commented Groetelaars. “I joined the company’s Board because of my deep appreciation for our mission and unwavering commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and providing positive outcomes for patients and customers. Dentsply Sirona is situated in attractive, growing dental categories and has a strong foundation in place, built on its portfolio of leading products and differentiated position across key markets. The Board is confident that renewing the company’s focus on execution will stabilize the business and deliver strong performance despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges. This will be my focus from day one, and I am prepared to leverage my prior executive leadership experience as I work with the rest of the Board and management team to drive the company’s strategy and advance its vision to transform dentistry and improve oral health globally.”
 
Dentsply Sirona also appointed former Hillrom senior VP and CFO Barbara Bodem as interim CFO to replace Jorge Gomez, who will leave the company to serve as biotech firm Moderna’s CFO on May 6.
 
In an update on anticipated Q1 financial results, the company expects sales to be about $965 million (an approximately 1.4% decline from the year prior) due to weaker U.S. sales performance, global supply chain challenges, and foreign exchange headwinds.