CHPA board appoints P&G's Gama chair, adds 6 members
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association has a new chair. The organization’s board of directors elected Paul Gama, president of personal health care at Procter & Gamble, to the role on April 13 via virtual forum, at which it also elected new members.
“I am delighted to be serving as CHPA board chair,” Gama said. “This is a highly transformational period for the industry, and for CHPA. I look forward to working closely with the board and CHPA staff to implement the association’s new holistic approach to self-care in the OTC, dietary supplement, and consumer medical device sectors.”
Gama, who has been a member of the CHPA board since 2018, leads P&G’s global healthcare portfolio of OTC medicines, dietary supplements and consumer medical devices. He previously led the company’s North American personal health care business when he joined the company in 2017. His experience in the industry also includes time with Bayer, Novartis and Reckitt Benckiser. In the role of chair, Gama succeeds Clarion Brands CEO Gary Downing.
“We are thrilled that Paul has assumed this board leadership role, particularly during such a pivotal moment for the industry and our association,” said CHPA President and CEO Scott Melville. “Paul brings an incredible depth of experience in consumer healthcare marketing and management, and his insights and expertise will be critical to CHPA and its work to further empower self-care in America. I very much look forward to working with Paul and the entire board to move our industry agenda forward.”
Melville also thanked Downing for his time at the helm, during which he guided the organization to realize its two top legislative priority — OTC monograph reform and the restored eligibility of OTCs in tax-preferred health savings account and flexible spending accounts. “Moreover, Gary oversaw the CHPA 2020 strategic planning process which completed the transformation of CHPA to a broader self-care association,” Melville said. “His leadership will have a lasting impact on the industry and our association.”
Besides appointing Gama to his new role, CHPA’s board also added six new members:
- Erin Bonovetz, senior vice president of OTC business at Perrigo;
- Timothy Connors, CEO of Advantice Health;
- Kevin Menzel, managing director and COO of Focus Consumer Healthcare;
- Susan KG Sorrell, CEO and president of NFI Consumer Products;
- Cindy Dibiasi, partner at 3D Communications; and
- Marsha McGraw, senior vice president and president of U.S. CPG markets at Catalina.
The board also re-elected eight members:
- Greg Bradley, Foundation Consumer Healthcare;
- John Dowers, Wellspring Consumer Healthcare;
- Michelle Goodridge, Johnson & Johnson;
- Ron Lombardi, Prestige Consumer Healthcare;
- Jim Medford, KC Pharmaceuticals;
- Barry Reichgott, Colgate-Palmolive;
- Randy Sloan, Lornamead; and
- Bob Sanders, IRI.
“As we navigate through these turbulent, uncertain times, we’re immensely grateful for our dedicated board of directors,” Melville said. “Each member of our board, with their commitment and expertise, plays an essential role in guiding the strategic direction of our association. Under Paul Gama’s leadership as chair, CHPA will continue the important work of strengthening and expanding the industry to ensure our vision of happier, healthier lives through responsible self-care.”