AbbVie Inc. announced that its board of directors has unanimously selected Robert A. Michael, AbbVie's current president and chief operating officer, to succeed Richard A. Gonzalez as the company's chief executive officer (CEO). Mr. Gonzalez, who has served as CEO since the company's formation in 2013, will retire from the role of CEO and become executive chairman of the board of directors, effective July 1, 2024. Robert A. Michael is president and chief operating officer of AbbVie.

A member of AbbVie's Executive Leadership Team, Mr. Michael is responsible for global commercial operations, finance, corporate human resources, global operations, business development and corporate strategy for the company. Previously, he served as vice chairman and president. Mr. Michael has 31 years of experience including leadership roles across multiple businesses, including pharmaceuticals, aesthetics, diagnostics, diabetes care and nutrition.

He began his career with Abbott as a member of the financial development program and ultimately served as division controller, nutrition supply chain and division controller, molecular diagnostics, among other roles. Upon AbbVie's separation from Abbott in 2013, Mr. Michael established and led the company's first financial planning organization as vice president, AbbVie financial planning and analysis. He then held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility including vice president, controller for commercial operations; vice president, treasurer; and vice president, corporate controller.

He was appointed chief financial officer in 2018, vice chairman, finance and commercial operations in 2021, vice chairman and president in 2022 and president and chief operating officer in 2023.