Kenneth C. Frazier served as the CEO of Merck & Co., one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies, from January 1, 2011, until June 30, 2021. He is known for leading the company during a transformative time when they focused on...

Kenneth C. Frazier served as the CEO of Merck & Co., one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies, from January 1, 2011, until June 30, 2021. He is known for leading the company during a transformative time when they focused on developing critical medicines and vaccines. Notably, Merck worked on key treatments that helped people around the world. After stepping down as CEO, he continued as the Executive Chairman of the Board, which shows a smooth passing of leadership to Robert M. Davis. Frazier’s journey in Merck started as General Counsel before moving up to run the entire company. Under his leadership, Merck achieved impressive performance metrics, resulting in significant bonuses based on company success. In 2021, he earned a total compensation of about $15.2 million, heavily tied to stock options and performance. Interestingly, Frazier led Merck through a revised retirement policy that allowed him to stay beyond the traditional retirement age, emphasizing his commitment to the company's mission. His experience and knowledge have helped shape Merck's strategies in addressing global health challenges.