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INDIANAPOLIS, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: [ LLY ]) today announced changes in its executive committee.

• Johna Norton will be promoted to senior vice president of global quality April 1, replacing Fionnuala Walsh, who is retiring April 15 after 28 years at Lilly. Norton currently is vice president, Global Quality for API Manufacturing, Product Research and Development.
• Bart Peterson, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs and Communications, will leave Lilly March 31 to pursue personal business interests and expand his community volunteer commitments. Peterson, a former two-term mayor of Indianapolis, joined Lilly in 2009. A search currently is under way for his replacement.

"Fionnuala and Bart have been invaluable members of our executive committee as our business has gone through tremendous transformation during the last few years," said David Ricks, Lilly president and CEO. "Fionnuala has worked diligently to ensure that we have maintained the highest quality standards across our worldwide operations, which is absolutely essential to our business. And, Bart's leadership and political acumen have been vital to help us meet the significant challenges of an incredibly complex health care environment. His strong passion and vision for global health has been instrumental in making life better for people around the world."

Ricks said Lilly is very fortunate to have Norton to step into Walsh's role. "Johna lives Lilly's values every day, has a strong commitment to our mission, sets the highest standards for her work and has demonstrated leadership in partnering across the business. She has a deep knowledge of our manufacturing and quality systems and has worked effectively with regulators globally."

Additional details about the individuals involved in today's announcement:

Johna Norton joined Lilly in 1990 as an analytical chemist and has subsequently held various positions in quality assurance and quality control supporting manufacturing and process development at Lilly facilities and with Lilly external manufacturing partners. In addition to Indianapolis and Clinton, Ind., she spent four years in Kinsale, Ireland, and over two years in Puerto Rico. In 2012, she assumed her current responsibilities for providing quality oversight and direction for Lilly's API Manufacturing network and the Product Research and Development organization. Norton holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Gannon University and a master's degree in analytical chemistry from Miami University.

Fionnuala Walsh, Ph.D., is a recognized thought leader in the quality industry, often speaking about Lilly's sustainable, integrated quality system and the company's commitment to maintaining a quality culture. A native of Ireland, Walsh earned a bachelor's degree and doctoral degree in chemistry from University College Dublin. Prior to coming to Lilly, she was awarded an industrial postdoctoral fellowship with BMS in Puerto Rico and worked at a startup company manufacturing clinic material. She joined Lilly's Kinsale, Ireland, manufacturing site in 1988 as a technical services chemist. After numerous positions there, she moved into a role as global quality leader at the Lilly Corporate Center in Indianapolis in 2002. In January 2003, Walsh was named executive director of quality for U.S. drug product and Lilly Technology Center operations. In July 2005, she was named vice president of global quality operations, and, in June 2007, she was named senior vice president of global quality. She joined the executive committee in 2009.

Bart Peterson served as managing director of Strategic Capital Partners, as a fellow with the Institute of Politics at Harvard University'sKennedy School of Government, and as a distinguished visiting professor of public policy at Ball State University before joining Lilly in 2009. From 2000 to 2007, he was mayor of Indianapolis, where, among many accomplishments, he championed the formation of charter schools. He also was instrumental in the effort that led to the creation of BioCrossroads to promote the development of the life sciences in the region. Peterson's public sector experience also includes serving as chief of staff for then Governor of Indiana Evan Bayh. He earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at [ www.lilly.com ] and [ www.lilly.com/newsroom/social-channels ]. C-LLY

Refer to: Janice Chavers; [ chaversjm@Lilly.com ]; 317-612-4974

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company