J&J Vision names new president of its global surgery division

Johnson & Johnson Vision announced that the worldwide president of its surgical business, Tom Frinzi, plans to retire at the end of this year, following a 35-year career in ophthalmology.

Frinzi previously led Abbott Medical Optics, including its cataract lens replacement, laser refractive surgery and consumer eye health businesses, before they were acquired by J&J for $4.325 billion in 2016.

He has been succeeded by Warren Foust, who most recently served as worldwide president of J&J’s aesthetics and plastic surgery company, Mentor, a standalone unit housed within the conglomerate’s Ethicon medical devices division. Foust was also a member of J&J’s Cardiovascular and Specialty Services Leadership Team.

“When thinking about who would be the next leader of the surgical vision business, I knew we needed a leader with a track record of success in leading global healthcare businesses, a people-centered leadership style, a keen appreciation for the customer experience, and a high touch approach to seeking customer partnership and input,” said Frinzi, who before joining Abbott, served as president and CEO of WaveTec Vision and held a variety of roles at Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Refractec and J&J.

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“Warren Foust exemplifies all of these traits, he’s a beloved leader at Johnson & Johnson, and this organization is in great hands with Warren at the helm,” he added.

Warren Foust (J&J)

Foust first joined J&J in 2011, through its acquisition of the orthopedics manufacturer Synthes. There he spent more than a decade in roles spanning trauma, joint reconstruction and craniofacial devices, as well as capital power equipment. Before that, he spent time pharmaceutical sales with Roche and Aventis.

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“My priority on my first few days on the job will be to engage, listen and learn from our employees, our customers and our industry stakeholders,” Foust said in a statement. “I’ll be visiting every region in my first 100 days on the job, connecting directly with the ophthalmology community at industry events, customer meetings and Johnson & Johnson Vision’s annual kick-off meetings across APAC, EMEA and North and South America.”