Emerson Group builds for the future with executive moves

WAYNE, Pa. — The Emerson Group on Thursday welcomed Roger Gravitte, who managed Novartis' over-the-counter portfolio of products, and Bob Nordman, who served as Bayer Consumer Healthcare's director of sales for the Target team, to the company. In addition, long-time Emerson veterans Marilynn Martin and Rick Wellinger were promoted to new roles within the company. 

 

Gravitte will join The Emerson Group on June 1 as COO reporting to Scott Emerson, corporate president, chairman and CEO for Emerson. Gravitte will lead the company's marketing, logistics and Consulting capabilities, working in Emerson's corporate offices in Philadelphia, Emerson announced in an email to clients on Wednesday.



"Roger brings 30 years of leadership and industry experience," Emerson wrote. "He is currently operating unit head/general manager of Novartis Consumer Health in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Prior to this role, he was head of sales for Novartis OTC, Americas. In 2011, as general manager of Genomma Lab, US, he helped build them into the $100 million U.S. operation they are today. He started his CPG career in 1985 with Wyeth Consumer Healthcare after graduating from the University of Tennessee," he noted. "We are privileged to have Roger, his wife Barbara, and sons, Ross and Kyle, join the Emerson family."

 

Nordman will join the Emerson Group effective April 1. With 38 years of CPG experience, Nordman has been named Emerson Group's Target team leader with primary sales responsiblity in OTC and nutrition. Nordman lives in Minneapolis with his wife Polly and holds a BS degree from the University of Iowa.

 

Martin, Emerson senior partner, joined the Emerson Group in 1998 as a partner and managed the company's Western U.S. sales. "As part of our plan for the future, Marilynn will develop and head/lead our new Special Markets and Natural Channel expansion and cross over brands from mass," Emerson announced. Her responsibility will include the natural channel, consumable initiatives and multi-cultural/alternative segment brands. She will continue to work on specialty and pioneering businesses at Target outside of Emerson's national categories and segments and will report directly to Emerson. 

 

Wellinger began his career with the Emerson Group in 1997 as Central U.S. Manager. "Over the past 15 years he has built and lead our team at Walgreens," Emerson said. "In 2008, Rick became president of The Emerson Group. His leadership and passion for our business has been instrumental in growing our company to almost $2 billion in sales," Emerson added. In addition to his current responsibilities as president, Wellinger will become chairman of the Emerson Group executive committee, and along with this role, he will Chair Emerson's most valued partner board.

 

"I am very excited to announce the above additions," Emerson concluded. "There will be more to come in the future. We are on our path of growth and development to better our people’s careers and assist our clients and their brands."