Alex Azar

Alex Michael Azar II (; born June 17, 1967) is an American attorney, businessman, lobbyist, and former pharmaceutical executive who served as the 24th U.S. secretary of health and human services from 2018 to 2021. He was also chairman of the White House Coronavirus Task Force from its inception in January 29, 2020 to February 26, 2020, when he was replaced by Vice President Mike Pence. In 2021, he was appointed a senior executive in residence at the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami. From 2012 to 2017, Azar was president of the U.S. division of Eli Lilly and Company, a major drug company, and a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a large pharmaceutical trade association. Azar served as general counsel of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) from 2001 to 2005. On July 22, 2005, he was confirmed as the deputy secretary of health and human services; he served in that capacity until his January 2007 resignation.