Lakeland College

Opening Convocation Lecture
Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012
Lonnel Coats, president and CEO, Eisai Inc.
Lonnel Coats joined Eisai Inc. in 1996 as a regional sales director, but quickly advanced through a series of positions, culminating with his appointment as president in 2004. He led the creation of Eisai's managed care group, helped build the company's U.S. presence in neurology and primary care and has worked with the clinical development team on numerous products. After being named vice president of human resources in 2001, he was instrumental in establishing a five-year vision for the company. In his current roles as president and CEO of Eisai Inc. and president of Eisai Corporation of North America, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the U.S. business. In 2007, the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association honored Coats as its Mentor of the Year, an annual award bestowed upon one man in the industry who has demonstrated long-term support for the advancement of women in the healthcare industry.