News & Events

Contact:
Marsha Zeesman, U.S. Fund for UNICEF/212.922.2545
Camilla Jenkins, BD/201.847.5369

New York, December 15, 2000 -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund), announced today the appointment of Edward J. Ludwig, president and CEO of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Ludwig joins a group of outstanding directors that offers significant guidance and support for the U.S. Fund in reaching its goals by introducing opportunities for innovative partnerships, increasing resources, and advocating for the world’s children.

"It’s a great honor to be appointed a member of the board," said Mr. Ludwig. "BD’s work with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in the fight against maternal and neonatal tetanus has been tremendously rewarding for me, both professionally and personally. I see joining the board as an opportunity to get even more involved with important issues like this."

BD is a key partner in the UNICEF efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus as a global public health problem by 2005. The disease kills nearly 250,000 women and their children each year in 57 countries worldwide.

"Ed Ludwig has already shown such a strong commitment to UNICEF’s mission that appointing him to our board was the perfect next step," said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Ed brings with him the exceptional leadership skills that will prove invaluable to the important work we have ahead of us to help children all over the world live healthy, long lives."

Mr. Ludwig was named president of BD in May 1999 and chief executive officer in January 2000. During his 21 years with BD, Mr. Ludwig has served in positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of financial management, strategic planning and operations, with experience in both the medical and diagnostic segments of the company. In 1988, he was named president, BD Diagnostic Instrument Systems. He served as senior vice president – finance and chief financial officer from 1995 to 1998. In July 1998, he was appointed an executive vice president. Prior to joining BD, Mr. Ludwig was with the auditing firm of Coopers and Lybrand and was a financial analyst/strategic planner at Walter Kidde, Inc.

BD manufactures and sells a broad range of supplies, devices and systems for use by health professionals, medical research institutions, industry and the general public. Since 1998, BD has committed $3 million towards the Campaign to Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF works for the survival, protection, and development of children worldwide through education, advocacy, and fundraising. It is the oldest of 37 national committees around the world that support UNICEF’s mission.

For more information, please visit www.unicefusa.org or www.bd.com.