Lincare names Hoefer new CEO

Kristen Hoefer is the new CEO of Lincare Inc. in Clearwater, succeeding retiring longtime chief executive John Byrnes beginning next month.

Hoefer joins Lincare from Abbott Laboratories, a Chicago-based pharmaceutical company that has a market cap of nearly $67 billion. Hoefer ran Abbott's pharmaceutical operations in western Europe, and spent 20 years with the company.

“We're delighted that we've been able to attract the caliber of Kristen Hoefer, a proven health care executive with international experience,” said Wolfgang Buchele, CEO of Lincare parent Linde AG, in a release. “I am confident that she will continue to apply and develop the successful approach we've adopted to date in our strategically important health care business.”