McDonald's CEOs display pattern of chronic disease

Since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, Bell had missed a great deal of work. Walt Riker, a spokesman for McDonald's refused to comment on this news or more information on Mr. Bell, stating that they preferred to respect Mr. Bell's privacy. This change-up occurs at a difficult time for McDonald's corporately and it remains to be seen how this latest news will affect the company internally.

• McDonald's has taken yet another body blow to its battered but resilient executive suite.
• Chief Executive Charlie Bell, 44, resigned to focus on his battle with cancer and was replaced by Jim Skinner, 60, who had been vice chairman.
• The board of directors also elected Mike Roberts, who had been CEO of McDonald's USA, to the post of president and chief operating officer.
• Andrew McKenna, chairman of the board of directors, issued a statement praising Bell as a "remarkable leader" and calling Skinner an "outstanding leader who will continue the strategic focus" established by Bell and the former CEO he replaced, Jim Cantalupo.
• Bell has missed a significant amount of time at work while undergoing cancer treatment.
• The executive changeovers at McDonald's have taken place as the company has undergone a virtual image and business renaissance.
• "It goes to the core of what kind of company you are," says Lynn Kettleson, vice president of RDW Group, a crisis management specialist.
• At McDonald's, success isn't measured by the notoriety of its CEO, but by the acceptance of its latest product line, notes Paul Barron, senior partner at BMG Consulting, a restaurant and retail specialist.
• "If you asked almost any consumer who the number-one executive at McDonald's was, they couldn't tell you."
• McDonald's has quietly been preparing for the changeover for weeks.
• The move is not expected to rattle Wall Street.
• Even while battling cancer, Bell remained his outgoing and humorous self.
• Skinner, who personifies stability, is more reserved but has a dry and quick wit.
• "This is like changing the quarterback in the middle of a big football game," Kettleson says.
• "Skinner's job will be to communicate assurance - and to stay the course."