Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that Surendralal L. “Lal” Karsanbhai, president and chief executive officer, Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE: EMR), will join Merck’s board of directors effective January 1, 2025. He will stand for election by the company’s shareholders in May 2025. With the addition of Karsanbhai, the Merck board will consist of 13 members.

“We are pleased to welcome Lal Karsanbhai to the Merck board. Lal brings extensive business and operational expertise with a strong global perspective, and we look forward to his contributions and insights,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck.

Karsanbhai joined Emerson in 1995 and held various roles increasing in scope and responsibility before becoming Emerson’s president and chief executive officer and an executive director on its board in 2021.

Karsanbhai also serves as deputy chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and on the board of the US-China Business Council. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis.