American Cancer Society Names Johnson & Johnson’s Gary Reedy as CEO

The American Cancer Society named Gary M. Reedy its new chief executive on Wednesday, ending a search to replace longtime leader John Seffrin that stretched over a year.

Mr. Reedy, a longtime American Cancer Society volunteer, retired last month from his position as worldwide vice president for government affairs and policy at Johnson & Johnson. He has spent 37 years in the health-care industry, also holding leadership positions at for-profit companies SmithKline Beecham and Centocor.

Mr. Reedy has 15 years of experience as an American Cancer Society volunteer leader and served as chair of the Board of Directors. He serves on the boards of Emory & Henry College, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. He also served as an officer on the C-Change board and was a charter member of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.

“After conducting a thorough and deliberate selection process, our Board of Directors is very pleased that Gary will lead the American Cancer Society to its next chapter as we continue working to eliminate cancer as a major health problem,” Robert Youle, chair of the society’s board said in a statement. “He has the breadth and depth of experience we were looking for in our next CEO. We are confident that Gary will continue the organization’s commitment and diligent work to save even more lives from cancer.”

Mr. Seffrin announced his retirement in January 2014 after serving as chief executive since 1992.