John Culligan

John W. Culligan (November 22, 1916, Newark, New Jersey-December 11, 2004, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) was an American business executive at American Home Products (now owned by Wyeth) makers of Advil, Anacin and Preparation H. With a break for service in World War II, Culligan started in AHP's mailroom in 1937, and stayed there through his service as the company's chairman and chief executive from 1981 to 1986.Bayot, Jennifer. [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/21/obituaries/21culligan.html "John Culligan Dies at 88; Led Transformation of American Home"] , "The New York Times", December 21, 2004. Accessed January 1, 2008.]

He was president and CEO of Whitehall Laboratories during the 1960s. As the company's president from 1973-1981, Culligan was responsible for the conversion of Advil to an over-the-counter drug. As CEO, he sold off product lines unrelated to medicine and pharmaceuticals, and acquired Ives Laboratories and Sherwood Medical to bolster the core business lines. Culligan stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by John R. Stafford in December 1986, with Culligan remaining as chairman of AHP's executive committee. [Cuff, Daniel F. [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F50716FE3C5D0C768CDDAF0894DE484D81 "BUSINESS PEOPLE; President Adds Jobs At American Home"] , "The New York Times", June 5, 1986. Accessed January 1, 2008.]

Culligan died in his home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey om December 11, 2005.

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