RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Paul Fonteyne has been named U.S. country managing director and president and chief executive officer of Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp.

The Germany-based drug maker said this week that Fonteyne takes over that post from J. Martin Carroll, who remains with the company in a corporate strategy and development role as well as a board member of Boehringer Ingelheim USA.

"I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the U.S. operations," Fonteyne said in a statement. "I believe this company is stronger now than at any point in its 126-year history. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. and globally to bring the best ideas to bear so that we may continue delivering on our commitment to bring more health to patients and their families."

Previously, Fonteyne served as corporate senior vice president, responsible for leading the global marketing strategy supporting Boehringer Ingelheim’s prescription medicines business. In that role, the company noted, he helped drive growth in such key areas as respiratory and cardiovascular disease and paved the way for entry into new segments like diabetes and oncology.

"After nine years as president and CEO, it was time to let others take the lead on the day-to-day management of the company’s U.S. operations," Carroll stated. "I have worked with Paul for more than 15 years and am confident that his depth and breadth of experience, combined with his passion for finding new ways to bring medicines to patients, makes him well-suited to take on this role and help lead the company to even greater success. I greatly appreciate the many contributions and efforts of everyone in the U.S. and globally that have helped grow this company during my tenure as U.S. leader."