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Photo: archiv

Josef Valenta (44)
Since 1 April 2005, named general director of Zentiva CZ.

What persuaded you to accept the offer of this position?
I see leading Zentiva's commercial unit on the domestic market as a great honor, so the decision was simple.

What do you consider your main task?
Successfully planning and applying the firm's strategy in the area of the Czech Republic's primary health care system. Our mission is to increase the availability of high-quality medications for all patients. As a domestic producer, Zentiva plays a decisive role in this process by law.

Curriculum Vitae: 1984 graduated from the Pharmaceutical faculty of Charles University 1992-93 Medical sales representative for Glaxo, Czech Republic 1993-97 Medical sales representative and product manager in Astra Zeneca 1997-2003 Regional director for central Europe and marketing manager for CZ and SK in Ivax company 2003-2005 manager, integration manager, commercial zone manager in former Léčiva, now Zentiva, Slovak Republic

What do you think a general director's most important strength should be?
The strength of any manager is faith in the team of his subordinates, the ability to build a high-quality team. If you can put together a team of colleagues who are stronger than you are in many ways, it improves the quality of the whole team.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Teacher, chimney-sweep - and in my later school years, I was enchanted by the work of the head of our village pharmacy. I wanted to become a pharmacist, and my dream came true.

How would you describe your management style?
A combination of leadership and facilitation of a team dynamic.

What would you like people to know about you?
I like teamwork, and in private I like to laugh, even though I may not look it.

How would you describe yourself in a few words?
Tenacious, open to the opinions of others, goal-oriented (in my wife's words).

ON THE GO

Photo: archiv Mariella J. Delgado (50) As of 23 March 2005, appointed general director of Volvo Auto Czech.		Photo: archiv Peter Rafna (37) Since 1 March 2005, new general director of Contactel.
Curriculum Vitae: 1986 graduated from Gothenburg School of Economics in Sweden 1986-90 various positions in Volvo in Bulgaria and Romania 1990-98 Senior Area Director Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Peru 1999-2002 Senior director of marketing of Volvo Auto Mexico 2003-2004 Head of Volvo Auto Mexico		Curriculum Vitae: 1993 MSc Economics, University of Aarhus, Denmark 1994-2000 Various positions in Danske Bank, Denmark, BMW, Germany, Belgacom, Belgium and Talkline in Germany 2000-2002 Vice President, TDC Internet 2002-2003 CEO and President, TDC Internet Polska 2003-2005 Vice President, TDC Solutions, Denmark

Photo: archiv Milan Růžička (44) On 1 April, named general director of Electroworld central Europe.
Curriculum Vitae: 1987 degree from VUT Brno, and management development program in Lausanne 1991-95 sales mgr., Ahold ČR 1995-96 Ahold hypermarkets 1996-2000 CEO of Prima (later Hypernova) hypermarkets 2000-2002 Albert division director 2002-2005 Chief operations Manager of Ahold CZ