Communications technologies company Bell and Howell has named a new CEO to succeed Leslie Stern, who stepped down in September for what the company described as “personal reasons.”
Ramesh Ratan will start as CEO for the Durham on Jan. 3. He comes to Bell and Howell from Pitney Bowes, where he was president of document messaging technologies and president of marketing services solutions. He will take the place of Kamal Advani, who had been serving as interim CEO since Stern’s departure. Ratan, who is managing director of Versa Capital Management, the controlling shareholder of Bell and Howell, will stay on as interim CEO until Ratan’s start.
Bell and Howell focuses on print, web and mobile delivery communications solutions.
Ratan will bring a range of experience to his new post. He was a member of the technical staff and founder of the AT&T consumer lab in Bell Laboratories, where he led teams developing new technologies. He has also served as executive vice president an chief operating officer of the Direct Marketing Association. Ratan earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and an MBA, as well as a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business.
“I’m excited to join an iconic American company that is recognized as a leader in providing high value customer communication solutions. I look forward to relocating to Durham and to working with the team to drive new growth through innovation and exceptional customer service.”
