Richard T. Clark is the former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc., a role he held from 2005 until his retirement in 2011 after a long 32-year career with the company. His leadership saw Merck navigating tough times, particularly during...

Richard T. Clark is the former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc., a role he held from 2005 until his retirement in 2011 after a long 32-year career with the company. His leadership saw Merck navigating tough times, particularly during the VIOXX drug withdrawal crisis. Clark focused on aligning his pay with the company’s performance, earning over $24 million in 2010 primarily due to stock tied to performance metrics. He also had some savvy investments, notably holding around 32,278 shares of Automatic Data Processing valued at nearly $8.9 million in 2024. During his time, he emphasized talent retention and aimed for long-term growth, reflecting a leadership style geared towards sustainability and responsibility. After retiring, he continued to influence the company as Chairman of the Board, guiding strategic decisions, including a significant joint venture with Sanofi. Clark’s journey at Merck encapsulates a blend of perseverance through adversity and a clear vision for the pharmaceutical industry’s future.