Stiefel Labs Goes Outside Founding Family in Choice for President

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Stiefel Laboratories, which bases its research and development division in Research Triangle Park, has named William Humphries, an executive from outside its founding family, as the firm’s president.

It’s the first time in the history of the 160-year-old firm that someone other than a member of the Stiefel family has held the post. Stiefel, which is based in Florida, focuses on dermatology pharmaceuticals.

Before being promoted, Humphries was Stiefel’s chief commercial officer. He has been a board member at Stiefel since 2006.

"This promotion is testament to the board's trust in Bill's proven ability to serve as both an effective and dynamic leader of this company," Charles Stiefel, the chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "Bill's leadership abilities and extensive pharmaceutical experience will serve the company well as we continue our upward trajectory to achieving our corporate objective of $1 billion in sales next fiscal year.”

Stiefel, which is privately held, opened its RTP lab last year.

Humphries will oversee sales, marketing, public relations and commercial operations. He also will direct Glades Pharmaceuticals, a Stiefel subsidiary that provides sales and marketing for generic pharmaceutical products.

Humpries, a graduate of Bucknell University with a degree in arts, earned a Masters in business at Pepperdine University. He will be based at Stiefel’s facility in Duluth, Ga. Where Stiefel bases its sales and marketing operation.