Avid Technology names new CEO

Avid Technology has gone outside of the industry to find its new leader. The company announced that Gary Greenfield has been named chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) effective immediately. Greenfield succeeds Nancy Hawthorne, who served as interim CEO since August 1 and will assume the role of lead director on the company's board.

While Greenfield does not hail from the media industry, a company representative said the board was seeking a technology industry veteran with a successful track record in helping “complex and multidimensional public companies achieve their goals.” He has experience growing businesses both organically and through acquisition; managing development, marketing and operations; and serving diverse customers from small businesses to the Fortune 500.

Since 2003, Greenfield has been CEO of GXS, a provider of business-to-business integration, synchronization and collaboration solutions. He has also been an operating partner with Francisco Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm. He previously served as CEO of Peregrine Systems where he managed the restructuring of their business, as well as other similar positions.

For more information, visit www.avid.com.