Technology innovation and commercial print are tipped to lead the way forward for Kodak, as enterprise software specialist Jeffrey J. Clarke picks up the graphics company's top job. Former CEO Antonio Perez steps aside after nearly nine years in the role, steering the troubled business through the throes of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, its subsequent emergence and recent steps on the road to recovery.
52-year-old New York native Clarke takes up the post as Kodak CEO and a member of its Board of Directors, while Perez will remain as special adviser to the board. Clarke comes well-credentialed from a string of influential executive roles in technology and enterprise software, including a brief stint as executive vice president with HP where he oversaw a $19 billion merger with Compaq. He praises the ongoing transformation work and welcomes the challenge of helping to shape the next chapter for the newly emerged business.
- Innovation and growth - Jeffrey Clarke takes up the reins as Kodak CEO
"I have enormous respect for the people of Kodak, and I am excited to join them in moving the company forward to new successes. This enterprise has some extraordinary opportunities, especially those presented by the company's proprietary technology in commercial printing, packaging and functional printing. Kodak has made excellent progress in recent years, and I look forward to continuing the work underway in transforming Kodak into a global B2B technology leader," said Clarke.
Perez welcomes his successor to the post, saying, "Jeff Clarke is a talented and proven executive who is well qualified to lead Kodak through our next era, which I believe will be one of innovation and growth. I am excited about the next chapter in the future of this great company."
Prior to his appointment, Clarke served as managing partner of Augusta Columbia Capital (ACC), a private investment firm focused on middle market technology and technology-enable businesses that he co-founded in 2012. He was CEO of private travel technology firm Travelport from 2006-2011 where he handled the launch of an IPO for its Orbitz online travel agency business, which he continues to oversee as chairman. In January 2007, Clarke was named one of Business Travel News' 25 most influential executives. Praising his accomplishments, James Continenza, chairman of the Kodak board, says he is confident that Clarke is the right person to lead the business forward.
"His combination of strengths and experience in technology, transformation, finance, operations and international business is precisely what we set out to find in the next leader of Kodak," said Continenza.
Clarke maintains his first priority will be to connect with Kodak's employees, customers, partners and stakeholders as part of a detailed evaluation of the company's operations and market opportunities. He says, "Once that work is complete, I look forward to sharing our conclusions."
Clarke also served as COO of enterprise software company CA Inc. from 2004-2006, executive vice president at HP from 2002-2003, and chief financial officer for Compaq Computer. He joined Compaq in 1998 following its merger with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), where he worked in management roles from 1985-1998. He earned an MBA from Northeastern University and holds a BA in Economics from SUNY Geneseo.