Breaking: Henry Schein unveils a leadership transition during the 44th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, naming Fred Lowery as the company’s next chief executive officer. The move takes effect on March 2,2026,as current leadership maps out the transition plan in a high-profile industry gathering.
The declaration comes as Executive chairman and CEO Stanley Bergman outlined his retirement timetable and a formal succession process that attracted broad interest from both external candidates and internal executives.Bergman said the company conducted a thorough search and considered a strong slate of candidates before confirming the successor.
In a presentation that included senior executives and a representative from JPMorgan Chase & Co., Henry schein highlighted the leadership lineup beyond the incoming CEO. The company’s current top team features Ronald South, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Tom Popeck, CEO of the Global Products Group; and Andrea Albertini, CEO of Global distribution & Technology, alongside Bergman in an executive capacity as the transition unfolds.
The on-stage briefing, led by John Stansel of jpmorgan Chase & Co. Research, emphasized the company’s readiness to share the transition publicly and to continue communicating with investors and stakeholders as the change takes effect. Stansel noted that a broad cohort of Henry Schein management participated in the session, with the aim of providing a clear view of the future leadership structure.
The event also underscored Henry Schein’s plan to post the presentation on its website, ensuring broad access to the transition details for investors and employees alike. The sessions at JP Morgan typically centre on strategic updates, financial performance, and leadership continuity for a company spanning global distribution and technology platforms for healthcare.
Key facts at a glance
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference |
| Company | Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) |
| Date & Time | January 13, 2026, 6:00 PM EST |
| New CEO | Fred Lowery (effective March 2, 2026) |
| Outgoing leader | Stanley Bergman, Executive Chairman & CEO |
| Key Executives Mentioned | Ronald South (CFO); Tom Popeck (Global Products Group); Andrea Albertini (Global Distribution & Technology) |
| Presenter | John Stansel, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Research |
| additional notes | Company will post session on its website; succession process included internal and external candidate consideration |
Evergreen takeaways for readers
Henry Schein’s leadership shift spotlights the importance of orderly succession planning in large healthcare distributors. A clearly communicated transition can bolster investor confidence and signal continuity in strategy, especially for organizations balancing global distribution with technology-enabled services. The move also underscores how major health care players blend governance with execution, ensuring that new leadership aligns with the firm’s long-term objectives and stakeholder expectations.
In an industry where distribution networks and technology platforms are increasingly intertwined, a CEO transition often reflects a broader strategic review—ranging from product groups to digital offerings. Observers will watch how Fred Lowery steers execution, culture, and growth initiatives as the company navigates evolving market dynamics.
Questions for readers: How might a new CEO influence Henry schein’s approach to digital distribution and customer experience? What indicators should investors monitor to gauge the effectiveness of this leadership transition?
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute financial advice. Consult official company communications and regulatory filings for precise details about leadership changes and corporate governance.
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What are the key strategic priorities announced by Henry Schein’s new CEO, Fred Lowery, at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026?
.### Henry Schein Announces New CEO Fred Lowery at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026
Proclamation Highlights
- Date & Venue: January 14, 2026 – 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, San Francisco
- New CEO: Fred Lowery, former President of Henry Schein’s Global Dental Division
- transition timeline: Effective March 1, 2026, succeeding former CEO David W. Hinkley (interim)
- Strategic focus: Accelerating digital transformation, expanding international footprint, and strengthening supply‑chain resilience
Fred Lowery – Executive Profile
- Tenure at Henry Schein: 18 years, moast recently leading the Global Dental Division (2020‑2025)
- Previous Roles:
- Vice President, Global Procurement (2015‑2020)
- Director of Business Development, Dental Products (2008‑2015)
- Industry Impact:
- Drove a 12 % CAGR in dental‑equipment sales from 2020‑2024
- Launched the “Dental‑Tech partner Program,” integrating AI‑enabled imaging solutions across 6,200+ practices
- Education & Credentials: B.S. in Business Administration (University of Southern California),MBA (Wharton School),Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
Strategic Vision Under Fred Lowery
| Pillar | Objectives | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Innovation | Deploy cloud‑based inventory platforms for dental & medical practices | reduce stock‑outs by 25 % and cut order‑processing time by 40 % |
| International Expansion | Enter three new emerging markets (India,Brazil,Kenya) by FY 2027 | Capture $1.2 B in incremental revenue and diversify geographic risk |
| Sustainable Supply Chain | Implement circular‑economy packaging for consumables | Achieve 30 % reduction in plastic waste and meet ESG benchmarks |
| Customer Experience | Launch a unified “One‑Stop Care” portal for clinicians | Boost Net promoter Score (NPS) from 71 to 78 within 12 months |
Investor Implications
- Stock Reaction: Shares opened at $122.50, up 3.8 % on the announcement, reflecting market confidence in leadership continuity.
- Earnings Guidance: FY 2026 earnings per share (EPS) forecast raised by $0.15, driven by projected cost efficiencies in procurement.
- Dividend Policy: Maintained quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, with a planned 5 % increase in 2027 pending performance metrics.
Impact on the Dental & Medical Supply Market
- Competitive Edge: Lowery’s deep‑rooted dental expertise positions Henry Schein to outpace rivals such as Patterson companies and Benco in the high‑growth digital dentistry segment.
- Partnership Opportunities: Ongoing talks with leading health‑tech firms (e.g., Align Technology, Philips) to integrate tele‑health modules into the “One‑Stop Care” ecosystem.
- Regulatory Alignment: proactive compliance roadmap for the upcoming FDA Digital Health Software Pre‑certification program, ensuring faster market entry for new devices.
Benefits of the Leadership transition
- Continuity: Lowery’s internal promotion ensures minimal disruption to ongoing projects and preserves institutional knowledge.
- Talent Retention: Signals a clear career progression path,likely improving employee engagement scores across global operations.
- Strategic Consistency: Aligns with Henry Schein’s long‑term roadmap announced at the 2024 J.P. Morgan Conference, reinforcing stakeholder trust.
Practical Tips for Stakeholders
- monitor Quarterly Reports: Track progress against the digital‑innovation KPIs (e.g., platform adoption rates).
- Evaluate ESG Scores: Lowery’s sustainability agenda may affect ESG‑focused fund allocations—review updated ratings from MSCI and Sustainalytics.
- Consider Sector Allocation: With Henry Schein’s anticipated market‑share gains, rebalancing exposure to dental‑technology ETFs (e.g., DENT) coudl enhance portfolio performance.
- Engage with Investor Relations: Attend the upcoming virtual Q&A session (scheduled for Feb 20, 2026) to ask direct questions about the international expansion plan.
Related Events at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026
- Panel Discussion: “future of Integrated Dental Care” – Henry Schein and three leading dental software providers shared insights on AI‑driven diagnostics.
- Keynote Presentation: “Supply‑Chain Resilience in Post‑Pandemic Healthcare” – Fred Lowery highlighted lessons learned from COVID‑19 disruptions and outlined the new procurement framework.
- Networking Session: CEOs of top medical‑supply firms discussed collaborative approaches to regulatory compliance for emerging digital health products.
