Varian Medical Loses CEO, Gains Board Members

Varian Medical Systems Inc. CEO Timothy E. Guertin is retiring from his position effective Sept. 28. Executive Vice President Dow R. Wilson, named chief operating officer (COO) in October 2011, will assume the reins of CEO on Sept. 29. Guertin will remain with the company as a vice chairman and non-executive employee until his full retirement in February.

“Varian has given me the opportunity to build a global business around the mission of saving lives, and, after more than 35 years here, I’m ready to transition to retirement while remaining active on the board,” said Guertin. “Our company has grown net orders, revenues and earnings by more than 100 percent over the last seven years while weathering some of the toughest economic conditions in modern times. We have successfully developed significant new technology and products in radiation oncology and X-ray imaging that will help to save the lives of millions of people around the world. We have expanded into new areas and built a strong team that is well positioned to continue growing under the capable leadership of Dow Wilson.”

“Tim Guertin has been an exceptional visionary and inspiring spokesperson for Varian,” said board chairman Richard M. Levy. “The board is confident that Dow Wilson can lead further execution and enhancement of that vision on behalf of our customers, investors, and patients around the world.”

Wilson joined Varian in 2005 as president of oncology systems. He is credited with increasing business two-fold by expanding services, introducing Varian’s TrueBeam and RapidArc products for radiotherapy and radiosurgery, and pushing strongly into emerging international markets. He assumed responsibility for all of Varian’s businesses upon his appointment as COO. Wilson came to Varian from General Electric (GE), where he filled various management positions over 20 years, including CEO of the $2.5 billion GE Healthcare-Information Technologies business. He has an M.B.A. from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business in Hanover, N.H., and a B.A. from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

“Tim Guertin and Dick Levy were instrumental in my decision to join Varian Medical Systems,” said Wilson. “They have created a global company with a culture of innovation and a consistent record of delivering compelling clinical solutions and services for customers as well as great returns for investors. It is an honor to be entrusted with the challenge of building on what they started.”

Wilson isn’t the only new face to pervade Varian’s upper level management. The company’s board of directors has appointed Erich R. Reinhardt, Ph.D., former president and CEO of Siemens Healthcare.to the panel, effective Aug.10. The addition of Reinhardt and Wilson (on Sept. 29) increases the size of Varian’s board to 11 members.

Varian Medical Systems Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., is a manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy.