Jonathan Ayers
Chairman, President and CEO of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc
Jonathan Ayers has served as Chairman and CEO of IDEXX for the last 15 years, leading the company through a period of consistent organic revenue growth. While at Yale, Jon studied Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and graduated Cum Laude. He took many courses in Economics, and although he did not receive enough credits to earn an Economics minor, he was very well prepared for his MBA at Harvard. During his subsequent career, he held positions at IBM, Morgan Stanley, and United Technologies. He was the President of Carrier Corporation before joining IDEXX in 2002.
IDEXX is a leading innovator in veterinary medicine, producing test protocols, novel chemistry, diagnostic equipment and software to deliver rapid and accurate results. IDEXX also protects water supplies for millions of people worldwide through their drinking water and wastewater quality tests. In addition, IDEXX tests help to protect dairy, poultry and livestock around the world.
IDEXX is an economic engine for its local communities, providing jobs for highly skilled workers and creating a culture of innovation and growth for its employees and the towns in which they live. Through its sponsorship of STEM activities in local schools and universities, IDEXX expands this culture of innovation far beyond its walls, both retaining and attracting top talent.
Jon’s wife, Helaine, is also a member of the Yale class of 1978. Their three grown daughters all have STEM degrees: their oldest has a Ph.D in Mathematics, the middle has an undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering, and the youngest is a member of the Yale class of 2013 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering.
Under his leadership, IDEXX has grown organically from $380 million in sales to $1.7 billion. IDEXX’s growing global workforce of 7,000 includes over 700 veterinarians and Ph.D.s who bring a consistent stream of diagnostic and software innovations to the veterinary industry. The company’s performance led to IDEXX’s recent inclusion into the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 100.
Jon brings to his work an intellectual curiosity, innovative spirit, and deep commitment to the human-animal bond. These qualities drive both scientific and engineering innovation as well as financial success for IDEXX, its employees and the communities in which it operates. For the impact he has made as Chairman, President and CEO of IDEXX Laboratories, we are proud to honor Jonathan Ayers as the 2017 recipient of the Yale Science & Engineering Association Award for Distinguished Service to Industry, Commerce or Education.