YORK, Pa. (AP) -- Dental products maker Dentsply International Inc. said Monday that Chief Operating Officer Chris Clark will become its president on Jan. 1, 2009, taking over the job from Chairman and Chief Executive Bret Wise.
Clark, 47, is currently the COO and executive vice president for Dentsply. He has been with the company since 1992 and will retain the chief operating officer post. Wise, 48, became Dentsply's president in January 2006.
Separately, the company said James Mosch will be promoted to executive vice president from senior vice president. Mosch, 51, is responsible for business development and Dentsply's endodontics business. He also oversees the orthodontics unit and regional businesses in Latin America and Canada.
A Dentsply spokeswoman said the changes are "normal internal promotions" intended to make Dentsply more efficient and sustain growth for the executive team.
In midday trading, Dentsply shares fell 75 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $25.74.