IDEXX CEO Jon Ayers stepping down after 17 years with company
The move comes four months after Jonathan Ayers suffered a catastrophic cycling injury.
Jon Ayers
Jonathan Ayers suffered a serious bike accident in late June 2019.IDEXX Laboratories Inc. announced this week that Jonathan Ayers is stepping down from his post as chairman and CEO, effective Nov. 1, 2019. This decision follows Ayers' four-month medical leave of absence due to a bicycling accident in which he suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury.
Jonathan (Jay) Mazelsky, who has been with IDEXX since 2012 and serving as president and CEO since late June, has taken over those roles permanently, according to the release. Lawrence Kingsley, the board's lead director, has been appointed chairman, effective Nov. 1, 2019.
Ayers, who did not sustain any head trauma as a result of the accident, will continue working with IDEXX as a director and senior advisor to the board.
“While the nature of my spinal cord injury and my continuing need to focus on an extended rehabilitation process preclude me from returning to IDEXX as CEO, my passion for the company and its purpose has not diminished,” Ayers says in the release. “I am extremely proud of the significant long-term value we have created during my 17-year tenure with IDEXX, and it has been a true privilege to work with our outstanding management team, Board and employees. I am delighted with Jay's appointment as president and CEO and have complete confidence in his ability to lead IDEXX forward.”
Kingsley offered thanks to Ayers for “leadership, vision and unwavering commitment over his distinguished career” and expressed full confidence in Mazelsky as the company's new head.
“Under Jon's guidance and stewardship … the company is well-positioned to drive continued innovation, accelerate product development and enhance profitability. We look forward to Jon's continued meaningful contributions to Idexx as a board member and senior advisor, and we wish him all the best as he continues his rehabilitation process,” he says in the release. “Jay has done an outstanding job in the past four months since he assumed the responsibilities of president and CEO on an interim basis, and we look forward to IDEXX's continued growth and success under his leadership.”
Details about the injury or Ayers' physical rehabilitation, recovery and prognosis were not provided.
