Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> November 9, 1998
DAN K. WASSONG was born in Warsaw, Poland and was raised in Israel.
While living in Israel, he served in the Israeli military. Mr. Wassong
was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Case Western Reserve
University, receiving his degree in Marketing from Case Western. As a
member of the Young Presidents Organization, he has attended numerous
graduate and business programs including those at Harvard Business
School. Mr. Wassong's professional career began at Leff Electric where
he started in the sales division and left as a vice president and
general manager to join Del Laboratories in 1965 as Vice President,
Corporate Development. Upon joining Del Labs, he was given the special
assignment of managing the Sally Hansen brands. Under his management,
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails became the largest selling nail care line in
the United States. As he moved into the office of Executive Vice
President, then into the position of President and Chief Executive
Officer in 1969 and subsequently added the title of Chairman, his
leadership revitalized the corporate and its various divisions. Mr.
Wassong implemented and directed programs which raised the company from
annual revenues of under $20 million in 1969 to over $260 million in
1997, making Del one of the leaders in category of popularly priced
cosmetics. His adoption of an aggressive marketing stance resulted in
the rise of sales and increased profitability, which continues today.
Mr. Wassong's professional affiliations include membership on the board
of Southern Union Company, Moore Medical Corporation, the Cosmetic,
Toiletry and Fragrance Association and the Advisory Board of the
National Association of Chain Drug Stores. He is very active in
community affairs and sits on the Boards of the Voice Foundation and
Students In Free Enterprise. He is a Trustee of the board of Long
Island University, where he received an honorary Doctorate in
Humanities; also serves on The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and
American Friends of the Hebrew University, as well as the Parrish Art
Museum. Mr. Wassong is fluent in five languages: French, German,
Hebrew, Polish and English. Profile
Mr. Wassong: Originally named Maradel Products, Inc., Del Labs was
started in 1961, through the acquisition of various cosmetics
