Whippany-based Bayer on Wednesday announced it advanced two from within the company to executive positions on its U.S. leadership team.
Both Brian Branca and Marina Hong will report to Patrick Lockwood-Taylor, president of Bayer U.S. and president, Consumer Health, North America.
“Both of these appointments are critical as we accelerate our transformation as top-tier U.S. life sciences company and further our ambition to create a world of ‘Health for All, Hunger for None,’” Lockwood-Taylor said in a statement. “Brian and Marina have a depth and breadth of experience to drive excellence in their respective fields, and both will play key roles in leading the company’s performance in its most important market — the U.S. — and achieving the goals of our growth strategy.”
Branca, who has been with Bayer since 2006 and most recently served as Bayer U.S. vice president and treasurer, has been appointed to the position of Bayer U.S. chief financial officer, effective Wednesday. Branca has held numerous financial leadership roles throughout his tenure with the company, including serving as CFO for the Climate Corporation and holding multiple finance functional leadership roles. Branca fills this open role following former U.S. CFO Kelly Gast, who assumed the position of Bayer Crop Science CFO earlier this year. Branca is currently based in St. Louis but will spend a lot of time traveling between the company’s U.S. locations, including the Whippany facility.
Meanwhile, Hong has been named senior vice president and head of U.S. human resources, effective next Monday. Hong joined the company in 2021 as vice president, human resources, for Bayer Pharmaceuticals Americas, leading human resources for the Americas Pharmaceuticals organization. She brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience, having served in roles that span almost every function within HR across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Hong is based out of the Whippany campus.
Separately, Lisa Massa, current head of U.S. human resources, announced she will retire in July 2022.
