Mixon steps down as Invacare CEO

After Mal Mixon suffered a mild stroke last spring, many in the HME industry wondered if he'd ever return as Invacare's CEO. During a conference call last month to discuss the company's latest financial results, Invacare officials said Mixon would decide his future role with the company by year's end. This morning, the company issued a release, stating that Gerald Blouch, who has served as interim CEO during Mixon's recovery, has been permanently promoted to CEO. Mixon will continue in his role as chairman of the board.

Here's Invacare's release on the transition:

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare Corporation today announced that Gerald B. Blouch was named President & Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2011, after serving as interim Chief Executive Officer since April 30, 2010. A. Malachi Mixon, III, will continue to be actively engaged with the Company as Chairman of the Board where he will focus on government relations, strategic issues and research and product innovation.

“I was fortunate when Gerry joined Invacare 20 years ago. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities throughout his career at Invacare, especially over the past few months as interim chief executive officer. This promotion is well deserved for the outstanding job Gerry has done in managing the business operations of the Company. Gerry has the Board's and my full confidence in his role as CEO,” commented Mal Mixon.

One of Blouch's key initiatives as chief executive officer will be the ongoing transformation of Invacare from regionally focused business units into an agile global enterprise that delivers a single brand promise, innovative products, services and clinical solutions through a platform that enables Invacare's customers to meet the needs of patients throughout the continuum of care in a superior way. Blouch's previous role has been reorganized into four key, global functional units - commercial operations, supply chain, product development and engineering - which will be managed by four senior vice presidents reporting to him.

Blouch joined Invacare in 1990 as the Company's first chief financial officer. In 1994, he became chief operating officer and was responsible for the operations of all domestic and international business units. He was named president and a director of the Company in 1996.

Prior to joining Invacare, Blouch held the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer of Inacomp Computer Centers, Inc. in Troy, Michigan. From 1974 to 1985, he held several positions with The Sherwin Williams Company including president and general manager of Sherwin Williams Canada. He is a board member on the Comprehensive Healthcare of Ohio, Inc. (Elyria Memorial Hospital) Board and is an Executive Advisor on the CresCor Board. Blouch received his B.A. from Bowling Green University and an M.A. from The Ohio State University.