Message from Chairman and CEO
 Striving to be the best is very important to me. In any industry, it's the market leader who can really make a difference. And it's definitely easier to achieve the aspiration of being No. 1 when you're doing something that you really care about. If you're not fully committed to your work, then you're simply exchanging dollars for hours. That's not worth it.
Working for a company like ours is very real to me. I know from personal experience just how important it is to help bring medical miracles to market. I myself am a cancer survivor. It's because of my own experience that I'm inspired by how Covance can make a positive difference in the health and lives of people around the world. Regardless of the project or the initiative, I know the benefit that comes from making the extra effort. It's not in my nature to walk past a service or productivity issue. If there's a problem, I have to try to fix it. I work to make each client absolutely certain of my total commitment to his or her company's success. I see myself as the client's advocate within Covance. This philosophy is what has made me successful, and I want all Covance people to put the client first, both in their thinking and in their actions.
But making a positive contribution also means taking actions that help someone who is struggling or a cause that's important. Surviving cancer helped me understand that sometimes people are simply in a bad spot in life. If you can encourage them, invest some time in them, and help them get over that trouble, it comes back to you as well. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but when it does, it is incredibly important and rewarding.
I've had the opportunity to meet with a lot of employees at Covance and hear about issues that are on their minds. Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can act and impact these issues. One example is championing investments in training and development. To me, this is an important area that advances an individual's growth and satisfaction. It also helps us retain and attract exceptional people who delight clients, and enables us to keep growing in the future.
Joe (Joseph L.) Herring is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Covance Inc. with responsibility for all Covance business units worldwide. He is also a member of our Board of Directors. Joe joined Covance in 1996 as head of Early Development North America and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2001. Prior to joining Covance, he worked in the American Hospital Supply/Baxter/Caremark organization for 18 years, serving in positions including Vice President and General Manager of the Oncology Services Division, Area Vice President, and Vice President of Marketing.
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