Patrick Zenner, MBA’75 (R), a 32-year veteran of the pharmaceutical industry, retired in 2001 as president and chief executive officer of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., North America, and a member of the global Pharmaceutical Executive Committee. Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is the prescription drug unit of the Roche Group, a leading research-based, health-care enterprise that ranks among the world’s leaders in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins.

Zenner spent his entire career at Roche, having joined the company as a sales representative in 1969. He subsequently held a series of marketing and business development posts that culminated in his being named vice president and general manager of Roche Laboratories in 1982. He later spent two and a half years with Roche Holding Ltd., the U.S. firm’s parent company in Basel, Switzerland, as head of international pharmaceutical marketing, development and regulation. In 1988, Zenner was elected to the U.S. company’s executive committee and board of directors and was appointed senior vice president of the company’s pharmaceutical division. In 1993, he was named president and chief executive officer.

Long active in industry, academic and civic affairs, Zenner is immediate past chairman of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and served on the board of directors and executive committee of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). He also is on the board of trustees of Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., where he earned his undergraduate degree.

In addition, Zenner has been a member of numerous associations, including the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, the Health Care Leadership Council and the National Committee for Quality Health Care. Currently, he is a director on several public life sciences companies’ boards.

He is married to Peggy, and they have three grown children and two grandchildren. Among his many honors, Fairleigh Dickinson University presented him The PINNACLE award in 1993 and named him the Charter Day honoree in 1998 in recognition of his outstanding leadership.

A Conversation With the Chairman of the Board

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