Fonteyne Named President/CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim USA

Paul R. Fonteyne has been named president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp. replacing J. Martin Carroll, who as taken a role with the company in corporate strategy and development.

Carroll ran the company as president and CEO for nine years, which included the introduction of Spiriva, a drug that helps people breath who have lung problems.

"After nine years as president and CEO, it was time to let others take the lead on the day-to-day management of the company's U.S. operations," Carroll said. "I've worked with Paul for more than 15 years, and am confident that his depth and breadth of experience, combined with his passion for finding new ways to bring medicines to patients makes him sell suited."

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the most important companies in the greater Danbury area, said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. Bull said the company provides excellent jobs, it makes world-class products, and it is very generous in its philanthropy. "Most communities would kill to have a Boehringer Ingelheim in their community."

Fonteyne previously led the global marketing strategy in support of the company's prescription medicines business.

"I believe this company is stronger now than at any point in its 126 year history," Fonteyne said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. and globally to bring the best ideas to bear."

The Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies is headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany with 145 affiliates and more than 42,000 employees. The family-owned company researches, develops and manufactures human and veterinary medicines. In 2010, Boehringer Ingelheim had net sales of 12.6 billion euros.