Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> May 1, 1998
WILLIAM J. MERCER, is the President and CEO of ALARIS Medical, Inc.
(NASDAQ:ALRS)., and ALARIS Medical Systems. ALARIS is the result of the
successful merger between two Sand Diego infusion device companies, IMED
and IVAC. Mr. Mercer has more than 26 years of general management and
operations experience, along with a dedication to building an
outstanding medical device company focused on providing cost effective,
quality products that help improve and extend the quality of human life.
Prior to the merger of the two companies, Mr. Mercer had been the
president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of
directors of IVAC. Mr. Mercer also served as Senior Vice President of
Mallinckrodt Group, Inc., a St.Louis, Missouri-based Fortune 250
company, which provides a range of human and animal health products and
specialty chemicals. Mr. Mercer's primary responsibility during his 17-
year career was leading the Medical Imaging Group of Mallinckrodt
Medical, a $550 million business serving radiology, cardiology, and
nuclear medicine physicians and professionals. Mr. Mercer previously
held positions in research and development at Becton Dickinson, Inc.,
and manufacturing at Abbott Laboratories. Mr. Mercer received a B.S.
degree from North Carolina State University in 1970, and completed the
Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1987. Mr.
Mercer is the vice president, medical devices, for BIOCOM and is active
in United Way/CHAD, serving as 1996-97 and 1997-98 Chairman of the
United Way Keel Club and 1998-99 Campaign Chair. Mr. Mercer has
previously served as a board member of the United Way of Lake County,
Chicago Children's Medical Center and Lincoln Park Zoo. He also actively
participates in a number of industry and business-related activities. Profile
ALARIS Medical. And then bring us up to date. Over the next two to
three years what do you see as the key challenges and the
