SmithKline Beckman

Executive Summary

Chairman Robert Dee, 62, to retire and step down from the board on April 22 after 38 years with the company. Dee joined SmithKline as a trainee in 1948 and was elected president in 1972 and chairman in 1976. With the exception of C. Mehlon Kline (1945-1958), Dee served as SmithKline chairman longer than anyone in this century. Dee was the top officer at SmithKline during the Tagamet development era. In recent years, Dee has participated actively in D.C. lobbying. Dee, for example, chaired PMA's tax committee from 1983-86, helping to preserve Section 936 in the most recent tax bill. He was also active in broader business policy issues, as a member of the Business Roundtable from 1976-82 and, most recently, as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers. Dee's departure sets the stage for titular progression at SmithKline. The company has announced that President and CEO Henry Wendt will succeed Dee as chairman; recently-appointed Chief Operating Officer George Ebright appears in line to assume presidency.