The changes include former Nevro CEO Kevin Thornal leaving Zimmer Biomet on Sept. 30. Thornal joined ZB last year as group president, global businesses and the Americas, after successfully leading spinal cord stimulation company Nevro through a $250 million sale to Globus Medical. According to an SEC Form 8-K, ZB notified Thornal yesterday that his position is being restructured; he’s eligible for severance including 12 months of base salary, 12 months of COBRA premiums, and an annual target bonus.
“On behalf of the entire Zimmer Biomet team, I want to thank Kevin for his leadership and contributions to our company. We wish him all the best in his next chapter,” CEO Ivan Tornos said in an accompanying news release.
Effective Oct. 1, ZB is promoting Gary Campbell to president, Americas, and Brian Hatcher to president, Recon, S.E.T., CMFT, Neuro and Biosurgery. The company is also promoting Bradley Kessler to president, Americas – Robotics, Technology and Data. Campbell, Hatcher and Kessler will report directly to Tornos.
“We talk often about our people and culture strategic imperative to have the right talent, in the right roles, at the right times,” Tornos said. “These well-deserved promotions do exactly that, while helping to accelerate our U.S. go-to-market transformation and sharpen ownership of our most important commercial priorities. Gary, Brian and Brad are seasoned operators and proven Zimmer Biomet leaders with deep experience in the businesses and markets they will now lead. Their promotions reinforce my strong confidence in both our 2026 outlook and our growth potential in 2027 and beyond.”
The leadership restructuring news comes more than a month after Zimmer Biomet upped its 2026 outlook after posting Street-beating second-quarter results. The company is sticking with its previously announced guidance for now.
Over the past week, ZBH shares are down more than 4% on the news, trading at more than $95 apiece. The S&P 500 is up slightly.
