GC to CEO: A Trend?

Pfizer announced yesterday that GC Jeffrey Kindler was named CEO, replacing the embattled Hank McKinnell, who will remain chairman.

Mr. Kindler had been on quite a trajectory at Pfizer, having joined the company in 2002 after stints at McDonald’s and GE, as well as being a partner at Williams & Connolly.

Many of the regulatory and policy issues facing Pfizer (and most big pharma companies) play into Mr. Kindler’s strengths and experience.

While this appointment may not signal a trend, the default move many companies make by moving up a CFO or marketing EVP to the CEO slot could now involve a strong GC getting a second (or first?) look. Having additional management experience outside the legal function (as Mr. Kindler did) certainly helps.