Merial, the animal health division of Sanofi, today announced the appointment of Susan Sholtis as President of its North American operations.  Sholtis rejoins the company after a series of executive global and domestic assignments in the life sciences sector, including animal health, pharmaceutical and infant and children's nutrition. 

"Susan is a trusted and experienced global leader with a proven record of driving organizational performance," said Steffen Saltofte, Head of Global Business Operations, Merial. "Her industry experience and global approach will help power the continued growth of our North America business.  I am delighted to have her back at Merial." 

Sholtis spent eight years at Merial where she had global responsibility for managing two of the largest brands in animal healthcare, FRONTLINE and HEARTGARD.  She is also known as the architect behind the successful global launch of Merial's FRONTLINE Plus, one of the most recognized flea and tick products in the world. 

Sholtis brings more than 25 years of experience in executive level operations, business development, sales and marketing to her role at Merial.  Prior to rejoining Merial, she served as head of a global business unit for Mead Johnson Nutrition where she led the turnaround and strategic growth of an expansion project that delivered double digit growth and the reversal of a three year decline.  She also held other varying roles at Mead Johnson Nutrition, including vice president of marketing in Europe and general manager of northern Europe.  She was instrumental in leading the company's European business IPO and was responsible for its entry into Russia.

Sholtis earned a master of business administration degree from Emory University.  She also holds a bachelor of science degree in Public & Corporate Communications from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.