Jim Davis, who helped lead the Quest Diagnostics response to the COVID-19 pandemic, officially assumed the role of CEO and president Tuesday morning, succeeding the retiring Steve Rusckowski.
Davis also was elected to the company’s board of directors.
Davis, who came to Quest in 2013 as senior vice president of diagnostics solutions, has served as executive vice president for general diagnostics since 2017. In this role, he oversees the part of the business that accounted for more than 80% of the company’s record $10.3 billion in revenues in 2021. Davis also oversaw 75% of the employee base in that role.
“It is an honor to lead this great company that is committed to making this a healthier world,” he said. “Our team will remain laser-focused on growing this business, driving operational excellence and continuing to invest in important growth opportunities, including advanced diagnostics and consumer-initiated testing, as we provide patients and customers with important insights that can improve health outcomes.”
Davis’ elevation to the top spot was first announced Feb. 3. Rusckowski, who has served as CEO and president since May 2012, will remain chairman of the company through March 2023.
Davis praised Rusckowski for his leadership.
“On behalf of our 50,000 colleagues, I would like to thank Steve for his decade of leadership, placing Quest at the forefront of health care,” he said. “We will build upon the foundation he has established.”
Davis has a long history in the health care sector.
Prior to joining Quest, he served as CEO of InSightec Inc., a medical device company.
Prior to that, he held senior management positions in a two-decade career in General Electric’s aviation and health care businesses, including leading GE’s MRI business for five years. Before GE, Davis led the development of strategic and operating initiatives for clients of McKinsey & Co. Inc.
Davis holds a master’s degree in management from the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in science from MIT and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan.
