Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> August 6, 2001
EDWARD A. BLECHSCHMIDT is Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Gentiva Health Services, Inc., the nation's leading provider
of specialty pharmaceutical and home healthcare services. Gentiva Health
Services was launched as a new public company in March 2000 as a split
off from Olsten Corporation, where Mr. Blechschmidt was Chief Executive.
In March 2000, Olsten's worldwide staffing business was sold to Adecco,
SA. He joined the Olsten Corporation in October 1998 as President and
Chief Operating Officer and was named Chief Executive in February 1999.
Prior to Olsten he had been President and Chief Executive Officer of
both Siemens Nixdorf Americas and Siemens' Pyramid Technology since
1996, as well as Executive Vice President and Board member of parent
company, Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG of Munich, Germany.
Prior to joining Siemens, Mr. Blechschmidt served for more than 20 years
with Unisys Corporation. He holds an undergraduate degree in Business
from Arizona State University. He is a member of the Board of Directors
for the American Association of Homecare and is associated with various
local charitable organizations. Profile
Services and an overview of the company as it is now.
Mr. Blechschmidt: Gentiva Health Services today is the nation's
