SMART names new president and chief operating officer
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- January 4, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. today announced a number of changes in its executive management ranks to improve the company’s structure and increase its agility and ability to grow. These changes include the naming of a president and chief operating officer (COO), the separation of the president and chief executive officer (CEO) roles, the promotion of three vice presidents and the departure of two vice presidents. Additionally, the company is recruiting for a number of executives to provide additional capacity and depth.
“As part of an ongoing analysis of SMART, we have examined the focus, structure and performance of our top management level," said SMART CEO Nancy Knowlton. “The changes announced today will help us speed decision making, focus on execution and bring new executive staff into critical areas, while allowing David Martin, executive chairman, and me to spend more time with customers and on key strategic issues."
Management changes
David Martin, formerly chairman and co-CEO, moves to the position of executive chairman. Martin is a co-founder of SMART.
Nancy Knowlton, formerly president and co-CEO, moves to CEO. Knowlton is a co-founder of SMART.
Tom Hodson, formerly vice president, marketing, moves to the role of president and COO. Hodson had a 16-year career of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing roles at Procter & Gamble, followed by 6 years leading the Calgary office for Optimé International, a sales-effectiveness consulting organization. Hodson will be responsible for the day-to-day operations at SMART and will work closely with Martin and Knowlton on the company’s strategic directions.
Promotions
Three executives are being recognized for their significant contributions to the success of SMART to date.
Susan Ruf, formerly VP, finance, moves to the position of senior VP, finance and CFO. Ruf has been with SMART for over four years.
Barbara Munroe, formerly VP, legal/intellectual property and general counsel, moves to senior VP, legal/intellectual property and general counsel. Munroe has been with SMART for almost seven years.
Vaughn Keenan, formerly VP, product development, moves to senior VP, product development. Keenan has been with SMART for over ten years.
Departures
Bill Jones, formerly VP, North American sales, and Alan Richards, formerly VP, operations, have left the company.
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and a global market leader in user-friendly interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. SMART products include the award-winning family of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, interactive pen displays, interactive digital signage, conferencing applications and software. SMART products are designed to meet the requirements of today’s corporate environment. With SMART’s versatile products, users are able to effectively display media-rich information, host and participate in audio and videoconferencing, share desktops remotely, collaborate, share data and efficiently train personnel. SMART products are used in more than 100 countries around the world and customers include NASA, Texas Instruments, BMW, Toyota Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, the Los Angeles Lakers, Novartis, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Procter & Gamble, Disney Imagineering and Harvard University.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 800 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ontario, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART as well as SMART products and programs visit www.smarttech.com and education.smarttech.com.
