HumanWare Strengthens Focus on Customers
HumanWare, the leading company in assistive technologies for vision, has completed a reorganization to ensure the rapid development and delivery of reliable, easy to use products for its customers.
Dr Richard Mander, CEO of HumanWare since March, led the reorganization. “We have assembled a truly global executive team to lead HumanWare forward. This team will focus on developing, marketing and supporting innovative, well-designed, high-quality products for our large and growing worldwide base of customers,” says Mander.
The executive team includes:
Dr Richard Mander, CEO, HumanWare. An acknowledged expert in product development and user-centered design, Richard will lead HumanWare in empowering people to fully participate in society through the use of HumanWare's innovative solutions. Richard is based at HumanWare’s global headquarters in Christchurch.
Gilles Pepin, President and CEO, HumanWare Canada. Gilles, a pioneer in the field, will continue to play an active role in product development and customer support as he leads HumanWare’s large research, development and product marketing organization in Quebec, Canada.
Jim Halliday, Vice President, Advocacy. Jim, founder of the original HumanWare company in the USA, will formalize HumanWare’s close work with customers and organizations as part of a HumanWare-wide effort to ensure world-class product quality. Jim is based in California, USA.
Hassan Wong, Vice President, Corporate Services. Hassan, who helped form the HumanWare company and has broad global experience in corporate finance, will provide financial direction and manage centralized services for HumanWare’s global operations. Hassan is based in New Zealand.
Timothy Skedzuhn, Vice President, Sales. Timothy, who has both taught and led salespeople, will ensure that HumanWare’s internal sales force and channel partners sell effectively and bring customer feedback and customer needs back into the organization. Tim is based in the USA.
Floyd Smith, Vice President, Marketing and Customer Experience. Floyd’s role, backed by his many years with technology companies in Silicon Valley and Europe, includes ensuring that HumanWare customers get the best possible products for their needs and ensuring industry-leading customer satisfaction. Floyd is based in London.
Yves Boisjoli, Vice President, Business Development. Yves’ legal background, financial expertise and strategic planning experience will help maintain HumanWare as possibly the most desired business partner in the field. Yves is based in HumanWare’s Quebec research, development and product marketing organization.
Ron Hathaway, Managing Director, HumanWare Australia and Asia. Ron leads HumanWare’s very successful Australian business, based on partnerships with key organizations, and its growing business in Asia. Ron, a member of HumanWare’s Board of Directors, is based in Sydney, Australia.
Pedro Polson, CEO, HumanWare Europe. Pedro led the build up of HumanWare’s UK and European operations to their current status as a large, well-respected, growing institution which partners with governments and organizations across Europe. Pedro is based in Rushden, near London, in the United Kingdom.
Phillip Rance, President & CEO, HumanWare USA. Phil brings extensive financial, accounting and management experience to HumanWare’s successful US operation, which works with organizations and government bodies across the country. Phil is based in Concord, California, USA.
The first new products and service offerings to fully reflect the effects of HumanWare’s reorganization are expected to appear in 2007.
About HumanWare:
HumanWare provides innovative solutions which empower people to fully participate in society. HumanWare’s many innovative products include BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for blind people in education, in business and in their personal lives; the Victor Reader product line, the world’s leading digital talking book players, and SmartView Xtend, the first fully modular and upgradeable CCTV-based video magnifier.
For more information:
Floyd Smith
HumanWare
Phone: +44 7870 242480
floyd.smith@humanware.com