BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The leader of Lehigh Valley-based Olympus Corp. of the Americas is moving on after 23 years with the company.
Nacho Abia joined Olympus in 2001 and has been CEO since 2015.
Abia will join Spanish pharmaceutical company Grifols as CEO in Barcelona starting April 1.
"My wife Nuria and I have called the Lehigh Valley home for 13 years and, in fact, is the only home our sons have ever known."Nacho Abia, outgoing Olympus CEO
He was recognized Tuesday during the annual meeting of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem.
"My wife Nuria and I have called the Lehigh Valley home for 13 years and, in fact, is the only home our sons have ever known," Abia said.
Stepping into his new role at Grifols, however, will allow him to "make a difference in many lives around the world" and advance his career, he said.
Current Olympus President Julien Sauvagnargues will take his place, he said.
Abia worked for Olympus over more than two decades in Spain, Germany and Tokyo before moving to Center Valley in April 2011. The Olympus facility off Interstate 78 in Upper Saucon Township serves as the company's North American headquarters.
Besides his work with the optics and medical device company, Abia serves as president of the Lehigh Valley Partnership, a consortium of business executives and government leaders.
"Keep up all the great work," Abia told the audience of hundreds Tuesday. "The Lehigh Valley's best days are yet to come, and I look forward to returning to see them."
Reporter Olivia Marble contributed to this report.
