Bayer, which has a major presence in Whippany, is reorganizing its corporate affairs organization, including naming a new senior vice president and head of U.S. communications, it announced this week.
The drug company said in a news release that it is separating communications and public affairs responsibilities at its U.S. unit, creating separate teams. The U.S. communications function will include current divisional and corporate teams, while the U.S. public affairs function will include U.S. government relations and policy teams, along with U.S. corporate engagement.
As part of the transition, Beth Roden, former head of global crop science communications, has been named senior vice president and head of U.S. communications, and will also lead communications for the Consumer Health North America unit.
Meanwhile, Michael Parrish, vice president, U.S. government relations, will serve as interim head of U.S. public affairs. He will continue to lead the corporate and health care government relations and policy teams that currently report to him.
“In the U.S. — Bayer’s largest, most important market — supporting the key priorities and accelerated growth plans of our businesses, enhancing our reputation and building relationships in the new administration on important topics facing the company are essential to our success,” Patrick Lockwood-Taylor, president of Bayer U.S. and president, Consumer Health North America, said in a prepared statement. “By making this change now, we are sharpening the focus of each discipline, more closely aligning these business-essential activities in the U.S. to our global structure.”
Finally, the company said Raymond F. Kerins Jr., senior vice president and head of U.S. corporate affairs, who had led the combined group for the past eight years, is departing the company effective June 14 to pursue other opportunities.
