Gerald (Jerry) Belle
Executive Chairman

Jerry Belle assumed the position of Executive Chairman of Merial Ltd. on November 1, 2004.

Belle is the former President, North America Pharmaceuticals, for Aventis, where he had responsibility for the company’s activities in the US and Canada.

In his role at Aventis, Belle also served on the Merial Board of Directors for more than two years prior to his being named Executive Chairman by the Board of Directors.

Belle’s career with Aventis and its predecessors companies spanned more than 35 years. His career in pharmaceuticals and life sciences began in 1969, when he joined Merrell-National Laboratories. After a tour of service in the United State Army, he returned to Merrell-National and continued a steady succession of positions of increasing responsibility in the industry. After serving in numerous sales and marketing management positions in the US, Belle was named Sales Director of Merrell International – Manila, the Philippines. He was named President of that unit in 1981. In 1982, he became Regional Manager, Pharmaceuticals, for the East Asia region of Dow Chemical Pacific, Ltd., in Hong Kong.

Belle returned to the United States in 1983 as Product Group Director at Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He was later named Director of Marketing for Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical K.K. in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1990, he was named Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Marion Merrell Dow Europe, based in Zurich, Switzerland. In addition to marketing responsibilities for Europe, his role also included management of the businesses in the Middle East and Africa.

In 1995, Belle was named President, Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada, and in 1997, President of Hoechst Marion Roussel North America. In 1999, when Hoechst Marion Roussel and Rhône-Poulenc Rorer merged, Belle was named President of Aventis, North America.

Belle graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati and has an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University, Chicago.

José Barella
Chief Operating Officer and Head of Global Business Operations

José Barella joined Merial in June 2001 as Head of Companion Animals Global Enterprise (CAGE). Since January 2003, he’s also been the Head of the Supply Chain.

Barella has very broad international experience and diverse managerial skills built on more than 20 years experience in manufacturing/supply chain/marketing and general management. Before joining Merial, Barella was the Head of Aventis Environmental Science where he managed the integration of AGREVO and RPA business to forrm AES. Later, he was responsible for all aspects of Merial's fast-growing companion animal business and for supervising the Global Supply Chain.

Barella, a native of Brazil, holds a BS in chemical engineering.

Kevin Carroll
Head of Human Resources

Kevin Carroll joined Merial in September 2000 as the Executive Director, Human Resources North America. In February 2002, he was appointed Head of Human Resources. He has more than 25 years of progressive human resources and leadership experience with Fortune 500 companies. At Merial, he led the rapid development of recruiting and training strategies to support the consolidated business, customer service and knowledge functions during the transition of the company’s headquarters to Duluth. In addition to building both the North American and Corporate Human Resources teams from the ground up, he has led and actively participated in several global initiatives in the areas of HRIS, compensation, benefits, and professional development. He is committed to designing employee plans and policies that will help establish Merial as an exceptional place to work.

Daniel Gouffé
President, Merial SAS, Head of Shared Business Services (SBS) Europe and Country Delegate, France

Daniel Gouffé joined Rhône-Mérieux in 1992 as Director of Sales & Marketing for French Operations. He was appointed European Operations Senior Vice President in 1994. He kept the same position at the creation of Merial in 1997. In March 2000, he was appointed Chairman of Merial SAS, Head of European SBS & Qualified Person. In addition, he is also Chairman of SIMV (IFAH France), a member of AFSSA Board and Vice President of FEFIS.

Prior to Rhône-Mérieux and Merial, he started a Vet Clinic in the Southwest with six Vet Associate clinical experts and participated in several professional association initiatives, in collaboration with agricultural industry opinion leaders. Gouffé holds a D.V.M. certificate from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France.

Kurt Hausmann
Head of Manufacturing

Kurt Hausmann joined Merial in October 1999. He has over 20 years experience in Global Manufacturing, Quality, Development and Supply Chain management. Prior to Merial he was in a variety of roles at Roche (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Group), most recently as Head of Global Technical Operations & Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals Division. He has created global strategies for Chemical, Biotech and Pharmaceutical production, has overseen the integration of two companies and has designed programs for the enhancement of company performance through restructuring, cost reduction and operational improvements. He holds a degree in Pharmacy and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.

Jean Mauldin
Chief Financial Officer

Jean Mauldin joined Merial in June 2002. She has over 20 years experience in global financial management. Prior to Merial she served at Phelps Dodge Corporation, Phelps Dodge Wire and Cable as President. She has overseen the creation of a global business and the enhancement of company performance through improving operating earnings, increasing exports to key market areas and restructuring. She holds an MBA from the University of Central Arkansas and a Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting from the same university.