Dirk Benson is chief commercial officer of Henry Schein’s North American Distribution Group. [Photo courtesy of Henry Schein]
Henry Schein (Nasdaq:HSIC) today named Dirk Benson as VP and chief commercial officer of the medical device manufacturer and distributor’s North America Distribution Group (NADG).
Melville, New York-based Henry Schein is the world’s largest provider of health care supplies and services for office-based dental and medical practitioners, and NADG is the company’s largest business group.
The role of chief commercial officer is new at NADG. In it, Benson will drive Henry Schein’s “One Distribution” initiative, which the company called a “critical element” of its 2022-2024 Bold+1 strategic plan.
“One Distribution is designed to more tightly integrate the management of Henry Schein’s distribution businesses globally while more fully leveraging the functions, talent, processes, and systems of our distribution businesses to enhance the customer experience and maximize efficiency and performance,” the company said in a news release.
NADG CEO Brad Connett called Benson “an outstanding professional.”
“He is held in high regard in the industry, with a track record of growing innovative businesses and leading people,” Connett said in the news release. “Dirk has a deep knowledge of health care distribution, experience building teams that work across boundaries, and the energy and insight needed to help Henry Schein fulfill our strategic plan.”
Benson ended his 27-year career with Northfield, Illinois-based health care products distributor Medline Industries as a group president and member of the executive committee in 2020. Chicago-based wound closure company BandGrip hired him as CEO in October 2020, but it’s not clear how long he held the position.
Nancy Lanni is VP and GM of the Strategic Account Management Team for Henry Schein’s North American Distribution Group. [Photo courtesy of Henry Schein]
Henry Schein said Benson’s team will include:
- Nancy Lanni, VP and GM of the new Strategic Account Management Team, which will serve Henry Schein’s large dental and medical distribution customers in the U.S.
- Dave Steck, recently promoted to VP and GM, U.S. Dental Group
- Ty Ford, VP and GM, U.S. Medical Sales
- Jeff Klingler, VP and GM, Enterprise Health
- Jim Loiacono, VP, Telesales and Operational Support Services
Lanni joined Henry Schein in 1995 and was previously head of U.S. Medical Group Healthcare Services, serving the group’s largest customers.
“We are delighted to welcome an executive of Dirk’s caliber to our management team and to congratulate Nancy on her expanded responsibilities,” Henry Schein Chair and CEO Stanley Bergman said in the news release “As we implement our 2022-2024 Bold+1 Strategic Plan, we are focused on advancing our exceptional customer experience through the delivery of innovative services and solutions. Dirk and Nancy will further that goal as proven, growth-oriented leaders with deep experience in building effective sales teams and winning in markets undergoing transformation.”