Henry Schein, Inc. has announced that Stanley M. Bergman will retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer at the end of this year. Bergman, who has spent 45 years with the company and more than 35 years as CEO, will remain in his current role until his retirement. After stepping down, he will continue as Chairman of the Board.
A search process to identify Bergman’s successor is underway. The company is working with an executive search firm and will consider both internal and external candidates.
“With the progress made advancing our BOLD+1 strategic plan and with strong management in place, it is the right time for me to retire at the end of the year,” Mr. Bergman said. “I look forward to working with the Board to identify my successor and effect a smooth transition. Henry Schein has been my professional home for 45 years and I will conclude this chapter of my life with enormous gratitude for the opportunity to serve as CEO and with great confidence in the company’s future.”
Philip A. Laskawy, Lead Director of the Board, acknowledged Bergman’s contributions over the decades. “Under Stan’s leadership, Henry Schein has become the global leader in providing dental and medical products and solutions for healthcare providers in alternate care settings, and we recognize the significant impact he has had on the company and the entire healthcare industry. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Stan for his steadfast devotion to Henry Schein and for bringing his unique blend of strategic vision, attention to detail, and entrepreneurship to the company.”
During Bergman’s time as CEO, the company experienced significant growth. Revenue increased from $225 million in 1989 to nearly $13 billion in 2024, and the market capitalization rose from $290 million in 1995 to almost $9 billion.
The company has undergone multiple transformations under Bergman’s leadership, evolving from a small dental mail order business in the United States to a global distributor of dental and medical products and services. The organization also expanded into practice management software, digital services, and dental specialties and developed its own corporate-brand product lines. In addition, it has been active in public-private partnerships aimed at expanding access to care and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Reflecting on the company’s future leadership, Mr. Bergman said, “It has been my greatest privilege to lead Team Schein over the past 35-plus years. Guided by our purpose-driven mission, we have built an agile company that is able to meet the changing needs of our customers, has created significant shareholder value, and is well positioned for the future. As part of succession planning, the company has focused on developing the next generation of leaders and earlier this year simplified the business by separating into three operating divisions, each with outstanding leadership. I fully expect that Andrea Albertini, CEO of the Global Distribution Group who also has responsibility for the Global Technology Group, and Tom Popeck, CEO of the Health Care Specialties Group, together with the rest of the company’s Executive Management Committee, will elevate Henry Schein to new heights by continuing to advance the BOLD+1 strategy and working with KKR on value creation initiatives and a broad-based employee ownership program.”
In a letter sent to employees, Mr. Bergman expressed appreciation for his colleagues, writing: “I am especially pleased to have worked with tens of thousands of incredibly committed and talented Team Schein Members who helped reimagine and reinvent Henry Schein’s role, from one of product delivery and logistics to one whose mission today is to help our over 1 million healthcare professionals operate better and more efficient practices so our customers can concentrate on delivering the best quality patient care.”
He closed his message by recognizing those who have supported him throughout his tenure, including colleagues, the Board, and the broader Schein community.
“With the team continuing to balance the company’s five constituents that make up the Henry Schein Mosaic of Success (suppliers, customers, investors, employees, and society at large) and maintaining the values of Team Schein, I believe that Henry Schein’s best years are yet to come,” Mr. Bergman said.
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Stanley Bergman
