SPARTANBURG, S.C. (July 27, 2017)—The Board of Directors of J M Smith Corporation has confirmed Philip J. Ryan III as Chief Financial Officer and appointed Kevin Welch to the role of Chief Technology Officer. Ryan will also assume the role of Treasurer following the retirement of James C. Wilson Jr. on October 1, 2017. Wilson has been employed with the company since 1987, serving first as controller before being elected Treasurer and then being named CFO.
“These appointments are significant steps on the path towards leadership excellence and operational excellence. Both Phil and Kevin are highly respected experts in their fields,” said Alan Turfe, Chairman and CEO, J M Smith Corporation. “Their passion for our organization and their vision for moving it forward are impressive. I am looking forward to working with them in their expanded roles.
“The Board of Directors and I also greatly appreciate the years of service Jimmy Wilson has given to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement,” stated Turfe. “Jimmy will continue in his role on the J M Smith Foundation Board, and he and his wife Judy will continue their volunteer work in the community. Not only are Judy and Jimmy pillars in our community, but they have become dear friends to me and my family. Their kind, giving spirits are an inspiration to us all.”
“For the past 30 years, Jimmy Wilson has been integral to the success of J M Smith Corporation,” said Paula Harper Bethea, Governance Committee Chair, J M Smith Corporation Board of Directors. “His intellect, insights and character have been invaluable to the company and to those of us who have served with him and learned from him. He is a remarkable gentleman and we shall all miss him greatly.”
As CFO, Ryan has direct responsibility for the finance arenas of each of our business units as well as the corporation as a whole. The Vice Presidents of Finance for each of the business units will report to him. Ryan joined J M Smith Corporation in 2011, following a successful career with Sealed Air Corporation. During his tenure at J M Smith Corporation, he has been a key member of the team that handled the acquisitions of Radiate in Charleston, South Carolina; Integra in Anacortes, Washington; and Burlington Drug Company in Milton, Vermont. He holds a BS from Lehigh University, an MBA from New York University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Welch, who will maintain his role as President of Integra LTC Solutions, will also assume the role of Chief Technology Officer for all of J M Smith Corporation. In the CTO role, he will oversee the development of new technology within the J M Smith Corporation, streamlining the process of bringing technology to market. Welch became part of J M Smith Corporation with the acquisition of the company he founded in 1997, Integra. Welch holds degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, Operations Research and Engineering Management from Stanford University and has served in senior positions at Genentech, Symantec and Microsoft. During his career he has designed and developed many industry leading software applications and systems.
“J M Smith Corporation has a long history of providing innovative technology to the market,” said Welch. “The role of a CTO is to ensure that we are positioned to continue to have a technological edge. I am looking forward to this new challenge.”
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