Merck Appoints Chief Strategy Officer

Cuong Viet Do has been appointed chief strategy officer, responsible for both developing and executing enterprise-wide strategy and further building connections between the current and future business plans of Merck’s franchises, divisions, and functions. He reports to Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck’s president and chief executive officer, and will serve on the company’s executive committee. He succeeds Mervyn Turner, who retired from the company.

“We are delighted to welcome Cuong as our new chief strategy officer,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, president and chief executive officer, Merck. “As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, Cuong’s expertise in developing and implementing global business strategy will help position Merck to deliver long-term value. Cuong will work closely with senior management to ensure that Merck continues to build on our tradition of innovation that helps improve and save lives around the world.

“I want to thank Merv for the many contributions he made to Merck throughout his 26-year career here, most recently as our first-ever chief strategy officer,” added Mr. Frazier. “The framework he put in place has set the stage for a productive future, and we wish Merv all the best in retirement.”

Since 2009, Mr. Do served as senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development at TE Connectivity, where he led a global team of senior executives responsible for charting the company’s overall corporate strategy, inclusive of more than 20 business units and key emerging markets. Prior to TE Connectivity, he was a senior vice president at Lenovo, responsible for developing the company’s strategy for emerging markets, new business adjacencies, and mergers and acquisitions.