Editor’s Note: On March 19, Nacho Abia, then CEO of Olympus Corporation of the Americas and President of the Lehigh Valley Partnership, delivered these remarks at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting at SteelStacks at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I have the privilege of serving as the CEO of Olympus Corporation of the Americas and as the current President of the Lehigh Valley Partnership. 
The Lehigh Valley Partnership will be 40 next year.
It was created in 1985 by a small group of corporate executives who realized that they had the unique responsibility, resources, and perspective to help build a better region.
It was a different time in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. You all know the history better than me. I came here in 2011 as the Lehigh Valley renaissance was starting to hit stride.
It’s easy today to take for granted what has happened here and how. And it’s always difficult to apply a scorecard to leadership. As President John F. Kennedy once said, ‘victory has a thousand fathers, defeat is an orphan.’
The renaissance of the Lehigh Valley during the last two decades has been born of a thousand mothers and fathers. A million ripples in the ocean making a wave. Without a doubt, that big wave is one of regionalism. That’s been the strength of the Lehigh Valley Partnership.
Our elected officials represent 62 municipalities, 17 school districts, three cities with unique identities, two distinct counties, and legislative districts carved along parochial lines. It’s easier for corporate leaders to look past the next election and precinct boundaries. That’s what started in 1985.
A partnership was needed across counties and municipalities – public and private – to strengthen and build regional institutions and to develop plans and strategies. It would take new resources and private sector support.
From that approach was born this organization, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, today recognized as one of the best regional economic development organizations in the country.
The mission was simple, but its application would be complex. Change is never easy. Looking past borders and boundaries to focus on something larger is hard.
I don’t think anyone realized how high the tide would rise.
Today, we call this place the Lehigh Valley. I’ve never known it as anything else. And while local identifications remain, people now cheer loudly for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They proudly refer to living in ‘the Valley.’
As we approach the Partnership’s 40th birthday, the core mission of its origin has been accomplished. But the need for private sector leadership engaged in the health and welfare of the Lehigh Valley will never go away.
What is difficult to create is often even harder to maintain.
As the Partnership reaches early middle age, there is need for a recommitment to its role and a revisiting of its focus – some of us like to call this the Partnership 2.0. It is the intention of the Lehigh Valley Partnership’s new executive leadership to engage its members – starting next month – in a discussion and ultimate adoption of Plan 2.0 to focus our energy, leadership, and resources in a strategic way to continue to do our part to improve the Lehigh Valley. A new plan is needed for the next generations.
The region is fortunate to have engaged leaders in both the private and public sectors that understand the beauty and the majesty and specialness of this region, whether they were born here or came from elsewhere.
As it always has been, it is the Partnership’s intent to support the work of others to continue the mission of improving the Lehigh Valley through a public-private partnership built on regionalism as the foundation and central principle of success.
Today is also a bittersweet event for me.
I’m pleased to offer remarks for the Partnership on our continued support for all the great work happening across the Lehigh Valley but – unexpectedly – it has also become a goodbye for me for now, which was not the intent when it was scheduled.
After more than two decades at Olympus – a phenomenal company I will always have close in my heart – I have accepted an offer to serve as the CEO of the global biotech company GRIFOLS, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. This will require our family to relocate back to Europe for at least a few years.
My wife Nuria and I have called the Lehigh Valley home for 13 years, and in fact, it is the only home our sons have ever known. So, it will not be easy to leave so many friends with whom we shared so much. This is a special place that we will always have in our hearts.
The position I have accepted, however, represents a fantastic opportunity to further my career and to make a difference in many lives around the world.
At Olympus, leadership will transfer to Julien Sauvagnargues, currently Olympus’ President who will be my successor as Olympus Corporation of the Americas CEO. His vision will continue to grow the company as a global medical technology leader and Olympus’ commitment and service to the Lehigh Valley will certainly continue.
Leadership of the Lehigh Valley Partnership will transition to Jean-Claude Dubacher of B. Braun, our excellent Vice President, who has agreed to become President April 1. Jean-Claude and I have worked together with the other officers and the Executive Committee on the updated strategy for the Partnership.
In that process, I’ve come to understand that the strength of the Lehigh Valley the last 40 years has been one common mission embraced by many. The people change but the mission and the Valley go on. That’s how mountains are moved.
I have very much enjoyed my time here. Thank you for making me one of your own. I'll miss seeing you all.
But this is not farewell, just goodbye. Keep up all the great work. The Lehigh Valley’s best days are yet to come. And I look forward to returning to see it. Thank you very much.”
(Photos by Marco Calderon Photography)