Listen to this article

Zoetis Inc., a global leader in animal health, has appointed a 30-year health science industry veteran as executive vice president and president, U.S. Operations, effective July 10. 

Ester Banque will be responsible for the company’s U.S. commercial operations and also be a member of Zoetis‘ executive team. She will report to CEO Kristin Peck, the Parsippany-based company announced July 10. 

“We are excited to welcome Ester Banque to lead our U.S. business after a thoughtful and extensive search process,” Peck said in a statement. “We were impressed by Ester’s diverse, global experience, leadership of high performing teams, and above-market growth achievements.” 

Banque most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of Bristol Myers-Squibb’s U.S. Hematology & Cell Therapy Business. While there, according to Zoetis, Banque was responsible the launch of five products as well as managing a $14 billion profit and loss (P&L) for the company. Prior to that role, Ester worked for Novartis, where she held a variety of senior-level positions overseas, including general manager of oncology in Germany. 

In her hiring announcement, Banque said she was proud to “be part of an organization that is built on the foundation of a purpose-driven culture, powered by an innovative, robust pipeline and high-performing teams.” 

The new executive vice president takes the reins from interim Head of Operations William “Chip” Dorsey, who served in the position since February and will continue his leadership role in finance for the company, according to Zoetis. His LinkedIn profile lists the position as vice president of finance, R&D, Global Diagnostics, Precision Animal Health, Basepaws. 

Dorsey was named to the interim position after the company terminated Glenn David “for violating company policy by engaging in a consensual personal relationship and failing to disclose it to the Company,” according to a Feb. 7 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and first reported by market watcher site MarketScreener. 

In March, Zoetis was among four Garden State-headquartered firms deemed some of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2023 by Ethisphere. That same month, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the company a $15.3 million grant to further advance veterinary care and diagnostic services to improve livestock health and productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa.