W. P. Carey School honors McKesson CEO Hammergren as Executive of the Year

April 21, 2016

The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University will present John H. Hammergren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of McKesson Corporation, with its prestigious Executive of the Year Award this week.

The school is bestowing its highest honor on Hammergren in recognition of his exemplary performance as chairman and CEO of the global health-care company. The award annually recognizes top executives who serve as exceptional models for future business leaders. John Hammergren Download Full Image

Under Hammergren’s leadership as CEO for the past 15 years, McKesson’s revenues have quadrupled to $179 billion while the health-care firm has expanded its footprint into international markets and new industry sectors. Today, the 183-year-old company ranks No. 11 on the Fortune 500 and employs more than 80,000 people.

McKesson is a portfolio company that has a presence in more than 20 countries and provides services and technology in all parts of the health-care ecosystem. Hammergren has spent his entire career in health care, having landed his first job as a hospital-supply sales representative as a new college graduate.

“John Hammergren has demonstrated outstanding and sustained leadership in a health-care environment that is ever changing,” says W. P. Carey School of Business Dean Amy Hillman. “He led McKesson from crisis to becoming a global leader in health-care services and information technology. Under his stewardship, McKesson has not only delivered outstanding returns for its investors, but successfully help health-care organizations deliver better care to their patients on a daily basis.”

Hammergren, who has been with McKesson for 20 years, was recently named one of Harvard Business Review’s 100 “Top Performing CEOs in the World.” In 2015, Hammergren was named 2015 Best CEO for the health-care technology and distribution segment by buy-side analysts, money managers and sell-side researchers. Under his leadership, McKesson has been named one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired Companies for more than a decade. He is also co-author of the book, "Skin in the Game: How Putting Yourself First Today Will Revolutionize Health Care Tomorrow," which focused on the consumers’ role in health-care reform.

”I am honored to receive this award from W. P. Carey School of Business,” said Hammergren. “I’ve been very fortunate to have a long and successful career in an industry that touches people’s lives on a daily basis. And for the past 15 years, I’ve been privileged to lead an incredibly talented group of people at McKesson who are all united behind our company’s mission of better health.”

One of the foundational elements of Hammergren’s leadership has been the core set of values that he instituted early on in his tenure. McKesson’s ICARE values — which focus on doing what is ethically right, always putting the customer first, personal accountability, mutual respect and excellence — have guided the culture and success of the company since he took the helm.

Hammergren becomes the 33st annual Executive of the Year chosen by the Dean’s Council, a national group of prominent executives who advise the W. P. Carey School of Business. The award honors business leaders who have created and sustained superior organization performance, and whose presence exemplifies a model for future business leaders. Previous honorees include Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks Coffee Company; Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company; and Mike Ahearn, chairman of the board of First Solar, Inc.

Hammergren will be honored at a luncheon at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 21. The event is part of the Economic Club of Phoenix speaker series. For more information about the club, call 480-965-6568 or visit www.econclubphx.org.

Global studies student shares experiences from Guatemala

Daniel Shipley is a senior at ASU majoring in global studies. With the assistance of the Global Studies Travel Grant offered by the School of Politics and Global Studies, Shipley was able to intern with for the International Business Academy in Guatemala. After his trip, Shipley took the time to provide a recap of her experiences:Question: What were some of the challenges that you had to overcome ...

Read the article

Global studies student shares experiences from Guatemala

April 21, 2016

Question: What were some of the challenges that you had to overcome while on your trip? Download Full Image

Answer: Some of the biggest challenges that I had to overcome included the language barrier, time awareness (a lot of Guatemalans work on their own time schedule and often show up late), and the safety precautions I needed to take.

Q: What were your takeaways from this trip?

A: The news portrays a lot of other countries as these very dangerous corrupt places and almost leaves you with a sense of wherever you may go something bad will happen to you. I did have to take different precautions as to staying safe, however Guatemala is a very lovely and ever changing country. They are a lot more advanced than what the media would have you believe.

Q: How do you think that this trip will help you after graduation?

A: I love Guatemala, I have made several friends while I was there. I have networked with people down in Guatemala that I believe will benefit me in the future.

Q: If someone was interested in an experience such as this, what advice would you give them?

A: Be aware of your surroundings. You are not at home and so take extra precaution as to what you do and where you go. Plan where you go and don’t always use the same route. Travel within the country, go to the most traveled places and if you have time go to the places that people tell you about. Immerse yourself in the food. Just because they have McDonalds and subway down there doesn’t mean you should eat it. Make sure the food you are eating is safe but eat the food of the country you are going to and immerse yourself within the culture. The Guatemalan people are really helpful, accepting, and humble people.

Q: What do you like about being in the School of Politics and Global Studies?

A: I love the school of Politics and Global Studies because it has opened my eyes to the world. I have enjoyed classes with Dr. Ripley where he has taught me so much about the world. The counselors are top notch and the opportunity that is available to us is endless. The School of Politics and Global Studies has really taught me to dream big and go for my dreams.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: My plans are to work for a year while I begin applying for several positions within the Government. Mainly I want to keep traveling and working with other countries outside the U.S.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?

A: I would just like to thank the school for the opportunity I have had to go on this adventure. I learned a lot about myself and also about the people in other parts of the world. I have also come back to the United States with a greater appreciation of things we have here. I am proud to be a citizen of the United States, but I also because of this program realize the need to be a helping hand to others in the world.