UPDATE: Here's Ishrak's first tweet as Medtronic CEO.
Welcome to Fridley, Mr. Ishrak
Medtronic's new CEO settles in
By janetmoore
June 15, 2011 at 3:19PM
Monday was Omar Ishrak's first "official" day at Medtronic. He's the new chairman and CEO.
Ishrak has not been made available to the media since he was named chairman and CEO of the Fridley-based medical technology giant in May. Ishrak, 55, was formerly head of GE Healthcare Systems, a $12 billion division of GE with 20,000 employees worldwide. He replaces William Hawkins, now 57, who retired last December.
Ishrak has quite a challenge on his hands with Medtronic, where key cardiovascular and spine businesses have languished.
Medtronic spokesman Steve Cragle says over the next several weeks Ishrak will be working closely with his management team "to immerse himself in our businesses, our customers, our culture and most importantly, with our global employees."
On Wednesday, he'll start with a series of globally televised "town hall meetings" at Fridley headquarters and at Mounds View.
Janet Moore covers medical technology for the Star Tribune.
