LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition (NYSE: HLF), announced that today, John Agwunobi has assumed the role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Michael Johnson. The Company previously announced the planned succession of Michael Johnson on October 29, 2019. After 17 years at the Company, Johnson retires as CEO effective March 30, and will retire as Chairman on April 29, 2020.Having dedicated his life to improving people’s health, as a physician, in government service and as a corporate executive, Agwunobi is uniquely suited for this new role. Agwunobi will set the strategy for Herbalife Nutrition, overseeing all aspects of the Company’s growth initiatives in the 94 countries where the Company operates, ensuring the Company continues to be recognized worldwide as a leading nutrition company.

"I am excited to enter my new role, with a transition that has been made seamless by our innovative and entrepreneurial distributors who are dedicated to their customer’s well-being,” said John Agwunobi, CEO, Herbalife Nutrition. “As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, our mission of improving the nutritional habits of the world has never been more critical and I look forward to leading this amazing company as we continue to expand our reach, making all of our communities stronger.”

Since joining the Company in 2016, Agwunobi has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Herbalife Nutrition’s co-president and chief health and nutrition officer and directing the Company’s nutrition philosophy. Agwunobi brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors to his role. Most notably, in the private sector, he served as senior vice president and president of health and wellness for the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, where he led a team of over 65,000 and grew the business from $25 billion to over $30 billion.

In the public sector, Agwunobi served as the Florida Secretary of Health. He then served as an Admiral in the US Public Health Services Commissioned Corps and as Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In these roles, he was responsible for disease prevention and health promotion. He oversaw the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the office of the U.S. Surgeon General, and numerous other public health offices and programs.

In addition to Agwunobi’s transition to CEO, Herbalife Nutrition’s co-president and chief strategic officer, John DeSimone has transitioned to president. DeSimone is a proven leader with an extraordinarily deep knowledge of Herbalife Nutrition, having spent more than a decade in leadership positions at the Company.

The Company’s competitive advantage and success in the nutrition industry is based on science and education – science-based products and the education provided to customers by its distributors otherwise known as the “Distributor Difference.” The educated and trained distributors coach their customers, providing personalized nutrition and fitness services.

Former CEO and outgoing chairman of the board, Michael Johnson, added “The board and I have great confidence that these two talented leaders, working alongside our dedicated independent distributors, will usher in a new era of growth and innovation. This is the right leadership to deliver on this promise.”

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About Herbalife

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.