Palo Alto, Ca., USA - February 21, 2014, Palo Alto, Ca., USA - Varian Medical Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of medical devices and software, announced that R. Andrew Eckert has been elected as chairman of the board of directors for the company.
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Mr. Eckert has served on the board of Varian Medical Systems since 2004, and has served in the capacity of independent lead director since 2012. He is CEO of CRC Health Corporation and has served previously as CEO for several healthcare and software companies, including Eclipsys Corporation, SumTotal Systems, Inc., and ADAC Laboratories.
Mr. Eckert is recognized for his knowledge of Varian and his extensive experience serving in medical imaging and healthcare information management as well as his expertise in operational, financial, strategic planning, product development and marketing matters.
Mr. Eckert is succeeding Richard M. Levy who is retiring after serving as board chairman for the Company since 2002, as a member of the board since 1999 and as CEO for the Company from 1999 to 2006.
Mr. Levy became CEO when Varian Associates, Inc. separated into three independent businesses. Prior to that "spin," Mr. Levy served as executive vice president of Varian Associates, where he was part of the senior management team leading one of America's pioneer high-technology companies.
He was appointed a senior vice president of the corporation in 1989, and during the 1989-1992 period oversaw a number of business areas, including Semiconductor Equipment and Vacuum Products. He became executive vice president of the corporation in 1992 and, until the time of the spin, oversaw the medical businesses and the Ginzton Technology Center, the company's research and development center.
Mr. Levy holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He began his business career at the Monsanto Company, where he served as a research specialist and project manager in both basic and applied research. Within Varian, prior to assuming General Management and CEO duties, he oversaw Sales, Marketing, Service, R&D, and various corporate functions as well as managing the corporate Quality Program.
Mr. Levy is on the Board of Trustees of the Peninsula Coastal Region of Sutter Health, and the Board of Trustees of Sutter Health where he is Secretary. He has been on the Board of United Way Silicon Valley since 2002, and served as Chairman in 2008-2009. ■