From: A Message from the Commissioner
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 02:05 PM
To: FDA-Wide
Subject: Personnel Announcement
Dear Colleagues:
I am deeply saddened to announce that John M. Taylor, Counselor to the Commissioner and Acting Deputy Commissioner for Global Regulatory Operations and Policy (GO), will be leaving the Food and Drug Administration in January 2014 to pursue other opportunities. John has accomplished so much during his two stints at the Agency (from 1991 to 2005 and from 2009 to present) as he served in various ways and touched many lives. From his early days in the Office of Chief Counsel, to his senior roles in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Office of Regulatory Affairs, and the Office of the Commissioner, John has brought leadership, sound advice, and most of all, good humor to his work. We will all miss his expert knowledge, his innovative thinking, and his uncanny ability to remain calm during times of adversity and matters of urgency. John has proven himself as a leader who epitomizes integrity, dignity, kindness and compassion, and he is widely respected by his colleagues.
Most recently, John has been wearing two hats – Counselor to the Commissioner and Acting Deputy Commissioner for GO. In these two positions over the past year, John has demonstrated flexibility, creativity, and decisiveness that has enabled us to make important forward progress on key matters. John has always stepped up in the times when I have needed him most to take on specific tasks that represent my highest priorities, including those related to globalization, FDASIA, and pharmacy compounding. John has been a catalyst for organizational progress and change while handling and managing the high demands of the Office of the Commissioner. And notably, John agreed to serve as the Acting Principal Deputy Commissioner during a time when the Agency was in a period of transition, for which I am extremely grateful.
I know I speak for all of us when I say that John will be sorely missed. Please join me in thanking him for his distinguished service to FDA and wishing him the very best in his future endeavors.
Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.
Commissioner of Food and Drugs
