# Ed Pesicka

> Ed Pesicka is a Richmond-area executive and advisor who led Owens & Minor, later renamed Accendra Health, from March 2019 until the October 2026 CEO transition. A former auditor and TRW finance executive, he spent 15 years at Fisher Scientific and Thermo Fisher Scientific, ultimately becoming chief commercial officer. His career also includes college football and wrestling at Muskingum, an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and service on Fortrea’s board.

- **Role:** Advisor at Accendra Health; Independent Director at Fortrea
- **Organizations:** Accendra Health, Owens & Minor, Fortrea, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fisher Scientific, TRW, Coopers & Lybrand / PricewaterhouseCoopers
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration; communications minor, Muskingum College (now Muskingum University), MBA in finance, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
- **Known for:** Managed a portfolio of global distribution, manufacturing and services businesses worth up to $8 billion during his Thermo Fisher tenure., Led Owens & Minor during a first year that generated $166 million in operating cash flow and reduced total debt by $117 million, while the company reported a net loss., Oversaw the 2022 Apria acquisition and the 2025 business separation that created Accendra Health.

## Career timeline

- **1986-1987** — Competed as a Muskingum heavyweight wrestler, finishing 24-7 with 12 falls.
- **1989** — Graduated from Muskingum; began career in accounting at Coopers & Lybrand in Columbus, Ohio.
- **1992-2000** — Held finance roles at TRW, including director of finance and IT for its Nelson Stud Welding Division.
- **2000** — Joined Fisher Scientific as vice president and controller of the U.S. research business.
- **2006** — Became president of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Research Market business in November.
- **2008** — Became president of Customer Channels and senior vice president in July.
- **2014-2015** — Served as Thermo Fisher Scientific chief commercial officer and senior vice president from January 2014 until April 2015.
- **2016-2019** — Worked as an independent consultant and advisor from January 2016 until March 2019.
- **2019** — Became Owens & Minor president, CEO and director effective March 4.
- **2022** — Led Owens & Minor when it completed the approximately $1.6 billion Apria acquisition.
- **2023** — Joined Fortrea’s board in June.
- **2025** — Owens & Minor terminated the Rotech deal in June and completed the sale of its P&HS business and brand in December; the remaining public company became Accendra Health.
- **2026** — Announced retirement in August; Kenneth Gardner-Smith succeeded him as CEO on October 5, and Pesicka moved into an advisory role.

## Achievements

- Managed a portfolio of global distribution, manufacturing and services businesses worth up to $8 billion during his Thermo Fisher tenure.
- Led Owens & Minor during a first year that generated $166 million in operating cash flow and reduced total debt by $117 million, while the company reported a net loss.
- Oversaw the 2022 Apria acquisition and the 2025 business separation that created Accendra Health.
- Serves on Fortrea’s audit and management development and compensation committees.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Kenneth Gardner-Smith’s CEO start date was October 5; Pesicka transitioned from CEO and director to an independent advisory relationship.
- **2026-09** — Signed a September 28 consulting agreement with a term that may run through March 31, 2029, subject to its conditions.
- **2026-08** — Announced his intention to retire after more than seven years leading the company.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-pesicka-72189848

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ed-pesicka
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24