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SSI Changes Leaders
After almost exactly two years at the helm of SSI, Jim Follett has departed the company and is replaced by Bloomerce founder Kees de Jong. Dennis J. Beckingham meanwhile joins the firm as President and CFO.
The departure of Follett, who became CEO on the sudden departure of co-founder Bev Weiman, is said to reflect a change of approach by the company, which says it aims to quickly develop new types of panel sourcing and products.
de Jong co-founded his first research company in the Netherlands 20 years ago, followed by a number of others including Bloomerce Access Panels Europe, which was integrated into SSI in 2005.
Beckingham was SVP and CFO for Thomson Learning between 2003 and 2007, managing financial goals and directing business development strategy for acquisitions and divestitures. Previously, he spent nearly 25 years with the TRS unit of American Express Company.
Chairman Robert Kamerschen says the appointments are the kind of 'proactive move' required by the current 'interesting, exciting, and, admittedly, challenging times', adding: 'Kees has a strong knowledge of the marketing research industry and has been a valued consultant to SSI for some time. The board is very pleased that Kees accepted our invitation to deepen his role within the Company.' de Jong, who co-created the ESOMAR Codes and Guidelines on access panels and is President of Entrepreneurs Organization Netherlands, says he is 'totally energized by the opportunities and potential for expansion within SSI.'
SSI (Survey Sampling International) is based in Shelton, CT, USA with additional offices in six key European cities as well as Beijing, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, and La Quinta, CA. Web site: www.surveysampling.com .
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