Fisher Scientific president to retire

David Della Penta will retire as president and chief operating officer of Fisher Scientific at the end of this year, the Hampton-based company announced Wednesday.

Della Penta, who has been in that role since 1998, will be stepping down “to enjoy the fruits of many years of hard work,” said company spokesperson Gia Oei.

Before joining Fisher, Della Penta served as president of Nalge Nunc International, a subsidiary of Sybron International Corp., a manufacturer of laboratory products that Fisher acquired and renamed Apogent.

Della Penta will serve for the rest of the term while a replacement is found, but vice chairman Paul Meister will receive a base salary increase from $620,000 to $900,000 effective next week “in order to acknowledge the increased responsibilities and obligations Mr. Meister will undertake as a result of the retirement of Mr. Della Penta.” the company said. – BOB SANDERS