CEO Moves this week include:
Umbel | The CSL Group | Real Industry, Inc. |
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. | Sierra Metals Inc. | Innocrin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Coach, Inc. | Telesoft | TFC Financial Management |
Reliant Rehabilitation | SomaLogic | Acelity L.P. Inc. |
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation | Friedman Industries, Inc. | Aerosoles Group |
InfoBionic | Relay Therapeutics | Save-A-Lot |
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. | Ascend Performance Materials | ACTIVE Network® |
Terumo Cardiovascular | The Gemini Companies | MageMail |
Keane | Pilot Lite Ventures | Risk International |
Couchbase Inc. |
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CEO Moves is published by Samuel Dergel (Executive Search Consultant with Dergel Executive Search). Samuel can be reached by email at samuel@dergelsearch.com or by phone at +1 (415) 738-2070.
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Umbel [AUSTIN, TEXAS] announced the promotion of Lisa Pearson to CEO, Pearson was previously Umbel’s President.

The CSL Group (“CSL”) [MONTREAL] announced that Louis Martel has taken over as President and CEO of the global shipping company, succeeding Rod Jones. Louis Martel began his career at CSL in 1997 as a Naval Architect. He has since held numerous roles with the company including President of Canada Steamship Lines and most recently President of CSL International and Executive Vice-President of The CSL Group.
Real Industry, Inc. [SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.] (NASDAQ: RELY) announced Kyle Ross as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of its Board of Directors. Ross has served as the Company’s President, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. Prior to Ross’s appointment to Interim CEO, he had served in various leadership positions at the Company, including Chief Financial Officer since March 2011 and Executive Vice President since June 2010.
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. [MARYVILLE, TN] (NYSE: RT) announced James “Jim” F. Hyatt, II as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. Most recently, Hyatt served as Chief Executive Officer of Church’s Chicken from September 2011 through November 2016 and remains a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Prior to Church’s Chicken, Hyatt held the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Cosí from September 2007 through September 2011. Prior to Cosí, Hyatt spent 35 years in the QSR category with 31 years at Burger King. He was recruited to join Burger King’s corporate executive team as Executive Vice President and Chief Global Operations Officer.
Sierra Metals Inc. [TORONTO] (TSX: SMT) announced the appointment of Igor Gonzales as President and Chief Executive Officer. Gonzales has served on the Sierra Metals Board of Directors since September 2013. Gonzales worked in Minas Buenaventura as Vice President of Operations from November 2014 to April 2017, worked for Barrick Gold Corporation from 1998 to 2013, first as Vice President and General Manager of Pierina Mine in Peru, then President of Barrick South America, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer for Barrick Gold Corporation. Gonzales also worked for Southern Peru Copper Corporation. Gonzales is a Director for Sierra Metals, Minas Buenaventura and Hudbay Minerals.
Innocrin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.] announced the appointment of Fred Eshelman as Chief Executive Officer. Fred Eshelman is the founder of Eshelman Ventures LLC. Previously, he founded and served as CEO and Executive Chairman of Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD). After PPD he served as Founding Chairman of Furiex Pharmaceuticals. His career has also included positions as senior vice president of development and board member of the former Glaxo, Inc., as well as various management positions with Beecham Laboratories and Boehringer Mannheim Pharmaceuticals.
Coach, Inc. [NEW YORK] (NYSE: COH) announced Joshua Schulman as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Coach brand, effective June 5, 2017. Schulman joins Coach from Neiman Marcus Group where he has served as President, Bergdorf Goodman and NMG International. From 2007 until 2012, Schulman was Chief Executive Officer of Jimmy Choo, Ltd. Prior to Jimmy Choo, Schulman served in senior executive roles at global retail and luxury brands including, Managing Director, International Strategic Alliances, Gap, Inc., Executive Vice President, Worldwide Merchandising and Wholesale, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Worldwide Director, Women’s Ready-to-Wear, Gucci.
Telesoft [PHOENIX, AZ] announced Charles Layne as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Layne has spent more than two decades leading growth-oriented technology organizations, most recently serving as President of Signature Technology Group. Prior to 2011, Layne held senior leadership roles at Microsoft within the solution sales organization. He started his IT career as a consultant for IBM, and then joined Insight Enterprises where he served as an officer while running the Small and Medium Business Division, as well as, the Software Solutions Sales Division.

TFC Financial Management (TFC) [BOSTON] announced Renée Kwok, who joined the firm in 1991 and became president in 2005, will also serve the firm as Chief Executive Officer. Kwok began her financial career as an investment analyst at Asian Oceanic Limited. She later served as a security analyst for the Putnam Companies and immediately prior to joining TFC was a consultant for a fee-based planning and investment company.

Reliant Rehabilitation [PLANO, Texas] announced Chris Bird as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Bird was recently Chief Operating Officer of FastMed Urgent Care. He previously was the CEO of ReachOut Healthcare America. Bird was also the President of RehabCare (formerly President of Peoplefirst Rehabilitation, Kindred Healthcare’s rehab division prior to the acquisition and merger of RehabCare and Peoplefirst).
SomaLogic [BOULDER, Colo.] announced Alister W. (Al) Reynolds as the next company Chief Executive Officer. He is replacing Byron Hewett, who elected to step down from the role. Reynolds has served on the SomaLogic Board since 2003. In addition to his Board position at SomaLogic, Reynolds currently serves on the Board of Prodigo Solutions Inc. Previously, he served in a variety of senior executive positions for Quest Diagnostics Inc. and its predecessor company Corning Inc. for over 20 years.
Acelity L.P. Inc. [SAN ANTONIO] announced R. Andrew Eckert as President and Chief Executive Officer. Eckert succeeds Joseph Woody, who is leaving Acelity. Eckert is the former CEO of TriZetto Corporation. In addition to TriZetto, Eckert has led five other companies, including CRC Health Group, Eclipsys Corporation, ADAC Laboratories, and most recently, Valence Healthcare in 2016. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Varian Medical Systems, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
Mack-Cali Realty Corporation [JERSEY CITY, N.J.] (NYSE: CLI) announced president Michael J. DeMarco will assume the title of chief executive officer. DeMarco is a veteran real estate investment professional. He joined Mack-Cali in 2015 as the president and chief operating officer. Prior to joining the Company, DeMarco held various leadership roles with several prominent real estate industry enterprises including Vornado Realty Trust, Fortress Investments, and Lehman Brothers Real Estate Investment Banking Group.
Friedman Industries, Inc. [LONGVIEW, Texas] (NYSE: FRD) has promoted Robert Sparkman to Chief Executive Officer and President. Sparkman has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and President since April 1, 2016. Sparkman previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations from April 2015 to March 2016, Vice President of Sales for the Company’s coil division between 2002 and March 2015 and has been employed by the Company since 1979. William E. Crow previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until his retirement effective April 1, 2017.

Aerosoles Group [EDISON, N.J.] announced that current Chief Executive Officer and President R. Shawn Neville will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Denise Incandela has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Denise has also been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining Aerosoles, Denise was President of Ralph Lauren Global Digital and CIEM. Before joining Ralph Lauren, Denise worked at Saks Fifth Avenue in senior roles including EVP & Chief Marketing Officer and EVP & President Saks Direct. Previously, Denise worked at McKinsey & Company. Denise is on the Board of Directors of CST Brands, Inc. and the Board of Directors of the Animal Care Centers of NYC. She is also on the Industry Advisory Board for The Wharton School’s Baker Retailing Center.

InfoBionic [BOSTON] announced that Stuart Long was named Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining InfoBionic, he was CEO at Monarch Medical Systems. Prior to Monarch, Stuart served as the global chief marketing and sales officer for CapsuleTech, Inc. Prior to CapsuleTech, Stuart worked in executive leadership at Philips Healthcare. Stuart also held executive positions at healthcare IT-focused companies including Agfa Healthcare, AMICAS, FUJIFILM USA and Eastman Kodak.
Relay Therapeutics [CAMBRIDGE, Mass.] announced the appointment of Sanjiv K. Patel to President and CEO. He succeeds interim CEO Alexis Borisy who is assuming the position of Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to Relay, Patel was at Allergan for over 10 years and was most recently part of Allergan’s Executive Team, as Chief Strategy Officer. Prior to this, he held roles of increased responsibility, including leading Global Strategic Marketing for all franchises and general management of Allergan’s. Prior to Allergan, Patel was a Management Consultant at Boston Consulting Group and he started his career as a surgeon in the U.K.’s National Health Service.
Save-A-Lot [EARTH CITY, Mo.] announced Kenneth McGrath as Chief Executive Officer. McGrath spent 13 years with Lidl in executive roles including Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland from 2009 to 2013 and Chief Executive Officer of Lidl USA from 2013 to 2015. McGrath was selected by Lidl to spearhead the company’s market entry into the U.S. before leaving to become CEO of the Caribbean and Central America region at Digicel. McGrath will be taking over from Eric Claus, Save-A-Lot’s current Chief Executive Officer.
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. [FORT WORTH, Texas] (NYSE: PIR) announced it has named Alasdair James, as President and Chief Executive Officer with an effective start date of May 1, 2017. James will be added to the Company’s Board of Directors after his employment commences. James spent his early career in international marketing and account management in positions of increasing responsibility across the globe, first at PepsiCo and then at GlaxoSmithKline PLC culminating with the position of Global Marketing Director for Future Brands. In 2007, he joined Tesco PLC where he held several senior executive roles. During his tenure at Tesco, James served as Commercial Director of the Global Business Unit as well as Executive Vice President and Commercial Director of Tesco China. James was most recently with Sears Holdings Corporation where he served since 2014 as President of Kmart.
Ascend Performance Materials [HOUSTON] announced that company president and chief operating officer Phil McDivitt has assumed the title of president, chief executive officer and member of the board of directors. Ascend’s former CEO Frederic M. (Fred) Poses will retire and step down from the Board of Directors. McDivitt joined Ascend in April 2015 and was named president and chief operating officer last year.

ACTIVE Network® [DALLAS] announced that it has appointed Dana Jones as Chief Executive Officer. Darko Dejanovic, who has been ACTIVE Network’s CEO since November 2013, will assume the role of Executive Chairman, and will continue to serve on ACTIVE’s Board of Directors. Jones joined ACTIVE Network in October 2016 as President. Prior to ACTIVE, Jones held Executive and General Management positions for early stage and publicly traded enterprise software companies over the last 20 years. Most recently, she was Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Solutions Management for Sabre Airline Solutions.

Terumo Cardiovascular (CV) Group [ANN ARBOR, Mich.] announced that Robert (Rob) DeRyke has been appointed President and CEO of Terumo CV Group, following the retirement of long-time President and CEO Mark Sutter. Prior to this appointment, DeRyke served as President of Terumo CV Group’s Electromechanical (EM) Systems Division. DeRyke joined Terumo in 2012 as Vice President of Corporate Quality for Terumo CVS. He has over 25 years’ experience in medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and has held executive leadership positions for Baxter Healthcare, Hospira, and Thermo-Fisher Scientific.
The Gemini Companies [HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.] have appointed Kevin Hesselbirg as CEO. Hesselbirg will take over the role previously held by Andrew Rogers, who has resigned from the position. Rogers will continue working at Gemini in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition. He is an experienced leader of growth-oriented technology and tech-enabled service organizations within the financial services sector, including Ernst & Young, OpenLink Financial, and Primatics Financial. At OpenLink Financial, he began as Chief Financial Officer and later earned promotions to Chief Operations Officer and CEO. Most recently, Hesselbirg served as CEO of Primatics Financial.
MageMail [BOSTON] announced the addition of Erik Bullen as CEO. Bullen’s recent roles include VP of Global Services at Brightcove, VP of Digital Strategy and Innovation of Mobiquity, and Executive Director at Frog Design.
Keane [NEW YORK] announced that it has named Kevin Ryan as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to being named as CEO, Ryan served in the position of Keane’s Chief Financial Officer since 2014. Prior to joining Keane, Ryan began his career in public accounting, working for multiple “Big 4” accounting firms.
Pilot Lite Ventures [NEW YORK] has appointed David A. Behringer as CEO of Pilot Lite Ventures USA. Behringer spent more than two decades at Kraft Foods, most recently as the Kraft Fellow for discovery, incubation and adoption of enterprise-wide disruptive innovation. Most recently, Behringer served as chief technology officer for the technology startup 915 Labs.
Risk International [AKRON, Ohio] announced the appointment of Todd R. Miller as the company’s CEO. Miller, who has served as the company’s president since 2016, will continue in this role and assume the added responsibilities effective July 1. Michael Davis, the company’s CEO since 2009, will remain with the company as its vice chairman. Miller joined Risk International in 2015 as chief growth officer and executive vice president. Previously he held various leadership positions at Oswald Companies for more than 15 years.
Couchbase Inc. [MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA] announced the appointment of former Veritas President Matt Cain as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member. Cain succeeds Bob Wiederhold, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Couchbase since 2010 and will remain as Executive Chairman. Most recently, Cain served at Veritas Technologies LLC as President of Worldwide Field Operations. Before that, he was Chief Product Officer. Cain previously held a variety of senior leadership roles at Symantec and spent a decade at Cisco Systems.