Gillette CEO to Step Aside Amid Executive Changes

Procter & Gamble is making key changes to top management at the recently acquired Gillette entity.

James M. Kilts, 58, the CEO and vice chairman of the board will step down July 1 as head of the Gillette business unit to devote his full attention to the Gillette integration and a smooth business transition. He had previously announced that he plans to retire Oct. 1, 2006. P&G sealed the $57 billion deal to acquire Gillette on Oct. 1, 2005.

The president of global Duracell and Braun, Mark M. Leckie, (52) has been named group president, Gillette global business unit. He will assume Kilts day-to-day responsibilities. Joseph F. Dooley, 52, will take over as president-Duracell. He had been president-commercial operations.

In the beauty business:

*Christopher de Lapuente (43), has been named group president-global professional and retail hair care. He had been president-global hair care.

*Marc S. Pritchard (46), currently president-global cosmetics and hair colorants, has been elected president-global strategy.

*Paolo De Cesare (45), currently president-global skin care, personal cleansing and deodorants, will now focus exclusively on the skin care business with his new post as president-global skin care.

*Mary Ann Pesce (51), currently president-new business development, will assume Mr. De Cesare’s responsibilities in deodorants and male personal care and personal cleansing, after being named president-new business development, deodorants/male personal care and personal cleansing.