Unisys Names 20-Year Channel Executive Veteran As New CEO

Unisys has finally concluded its CEO search, naming Peter Altabef as its new president and CEO. Company executives say Altabef will help lead the solution provider, No. 17 on the CRN Solution Provider 500 list, to a path of revenue growth.

Altabef will not be faced with an easy task as he assumes the helm at Unisys. The Blue Bell, Pa.-based solution provider has seen multiple quarters of dropping earnings, showing losses in seven of 11 quarters since 2012.

Despite that, Paul Weaver, who has been named the chairman of the Unisys board, said he believes Altabef is up to the job of getting Unisys back on track to profitable growth.

"As an industry veteran, [Altabef] brings outstanding leadership skills, a track record of delivering top- and bottom-line results and strong operational execution skills, which will complement the strengths of the existing management team. With these attributes, we are confident that Peter will guide Unisys to profitable revenue growth," Weaver said.

Altabef brings more than 20 years of channel executive experience to the new role, most recently as the former president and CEO of Micros Systems. He held that role until September of this year, when the company's acquisition by Oracle was completed. Altabef also has held roles as president of Dell Services and well as president and CEO of Perot Systems.

"I am pleased to be joining the senior leadership team at Unisys and working with the company's talented people around the world to accelerate its progress, leverage growth opportunities and create added value for our clients and shareholders," Altabef said in a statement.

The announcement comes after former CEO Ed Coleman said in October that he would be stepping down from his role at the beginning of December. CFO Janet Haugen has served as interim CEO and Weaver, then lead independent director of the Unisys board, was appointed interim chairman.

There was no direct reason stated for Coleman's departure, only that it was the "right time" for a change. At the time, a Unisys spokesperson said that Coleman was not fired and that it was an "amicable parting."

Altabef will assume his new role Jan. 1.

PUBLISHED DEC. 16, 2014