It is the start of the Mike Mahoney era at Boston Scientific. The medical technology company, with an estimated 5,000 employees in Minnesota out of 24,000 workers worldwide, officially turned over the reins to its new president and CEO Thursday. The move had been announced previously, as Mahoney was brought into the company to succeed interim CEO Hank Kucheman. Since he was brought in as president in October of 2011, Mahoney has been in charge of the company's Cardiac Rhythm Management unit, as well as having oversight of other corporate functions. "Mike is a dynamic leader, and having him at the helm for the long-term is exactly what Boston Scientific needs," said Pete Nicholas, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of the Natick, Mass.-based company. "Mike's ability to foster a team culture focused on winning, his strategic global view and his passion for innovation have already begun to make a significant impact on the company." Mahoney came to Boston Scientific from Johnson & Johnson, where he held a number of global leadership roles. "For the past year, I have worked with Boston Scientific colleagues all over the world and continue to be impressed by their commitment to innovation and dedication to developing medical devices that truly help transform patients' lives," the 47-year-old Mahoney said. You can read a letter from Mahoney on the company Web site here: http://www.bostonscientific.com/corporate/campaign/Mike-Mahoney-CEO.html Kucheman will stay with the company as a top advisor and member of senior management through the end of 2012. He will serve as a consultant, beginning in 2013.