Changing of the Guard
A changing of the guard is underway at ZEISS. For the past three and a half years, Jim Mazzo has been the company’s president of Ophthalmic Devices and head of Ophthalmic Devices Strategic Business Unit, but a recent press release from ZEISS announced he will be stepping down as of May 1.
Mr. Mazzo is a titan of the ophthalmic world, with around 40 years of experience in numerous roles. He will continue to assist ZEISS in an advisory capacity for the next several months and will also retain several key positions he holds in the industry.
Succeeding Mazzo will be Dr. Euan Thomson, current head of the company’s digital business unit. Dr. Thomson has upwards of three decades of experience in the medical technology industry, and joined ZEISS in September 2019. Among his many notable roles, he most recently led Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices’ digital technology development. Additionally, he was previously president and CEO of Photoelectron Corporation, president and CEO of Accuray Inc., worked in Venture Capital and was head of digital health at Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center.
In approaching the role, Dr. Thomson spoke of his positive outlook. “I believe in the great work ZEISS is doing for patients around the world,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the mission to better serve ophthalmic customers and their patients and to supporting and shaping the company’s strategic goals.”
In further changes, ZEISS has announced that Andrew Chang will be appointed president of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Chang is currently head of global ophthalmic sales, a role which he will maintain.
Mazzo’s Legacy
Jim Mazzo played a pivotal role at ZEISS which earned him high praise from the company. “Jim has been an integral part of growing our global ophthalmology business and has strengthened a customer-oriented mindset and service into the ZEISS culture,” noted Dr. Ludwin Monz, president and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. “His leadership, insights and guidance have been instrumental in building a strong team, while creating a global approach through regional alignment and increasing visibility of professional education for customers. We thank him for his knowledge, leadership and many contributions in helping advance eye care. We are looking forward to continuing this path under Euan Thomson’s leadership.”
Jim Mazzo had equally warm words for the company. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished for customers and employees and pleased to hand over responsibility to Euan and the team. With this team, we have achieved record breaking growth. I look forward to continuing my support for ZEISS as an advisor and my involvement in the ophthalmic community,” he wrote in the press release.
Mr. Mazzo will remain executive chair of Neurotech and will assume more responsibility at Avellino Labs, a company on the cutting edge of genetics. Additionally, he will continue to serve on the board of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).
A Feather in Mazzo’s Cap
Jim Mazzo is getting a fine prize for his display case. This year, he has been chosen to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, well, honors immigrants and their descendants for outstanding contributions to the entirety of the United States. It has been active for 35 years and is recognized by the U.S. Congress.
Mr. Mazzo shares this honor with many other distinguished names, including U.S. presidents, world leaders, and indeed people from all walks of life. Indeed, the list of awardees includes such diverse figures as Yogi Berra, Muhammad Ali, Lee Iacocca and Paul Simon.
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