CEO Chris Froman Launches New Independent Pomeroy Technologies, Split From Getronics Is Now Finalized

“The modern workplace has changed with the global pandemic and CIOs are asking us for our help,” says Froman, who has over the last seven months crafted a new “workplace optimized” strategic sales plan for Pomeroy. “Its not just work from home. It’s work from anywhere. With our workplace optimized tools and automation Pomeroy is uniquely qualified to capture this opportunity. “

With the split from European systems integrator Getronics finalized, Pomeroy Technologies CEO Chris Froman Monday officially launched the new independent Pomeroy Technologies LLC with a vow to exit the COVID-19 pandemic as a stronger company than when the pandemic began.

“The modern workplace has changed with the global pandemic and CIOs are asking us for our help,” said Froman, who has over the last seven months crafted a new “workplace optimized” strategic sales plan for Pomeroy.“Its not just work from home. It’s work from anywhere. With our workplace optimized tools and automation Pomeroy is uniquely qualified to capture this opportunity. I see us exiting the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than we were when we went into it. Our strength is managed workplace services. It’s all about the user experience.”

Froman’s return to Hebron Kentucky headquartered Pomeroy as president and CEO comes two years after he engineered the sale of the 28 year old solution provider to Getronics.

Froman – who was CEO of Pomeroy for nine years from 2009 to 2018 - was brought back last November to pick up the pieces in the wake of a Getronics recapitalization plan that ultimately led to a new consortium ownership group.

“We have carved out Pomeroy from Getronics and brought in a new leadership team with a new independent board of directors,” said Froman, who increased Pomeroy’s enterprise valuation by nine-fold during his tenure. “It’s exciting to start our new journey as an independent company. I came out of retirement to make this happen.”

Froman’s message to Pomeroy employees: “We have done this before and we’ll do it again.”

As part of the new reenergized Pomeroy, Froman has brought the “band back together” with the rehiring of two top members of his former leadership team: former CFO Craig Propst and former chief strategy officer John McKenna. Also filling out the leadership team, he said, are Chief Revenue Officer John Blackburn and Senior Vice President of Alliances Robert Burlas.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the team we have assembled,” said Froman. “In many ways I feel like I’m starting all over again. I couldn’t be more energized!”

Pomeroy Technologies Monday also introduced a new independent board of directors led by former CompuCom Systems Inc. Chairman and CEO Jim Dixon.

The board also includes Christopher Hjelm, formerly CIO of grocery chain Kroger and shipping behemoth FedEx, Sandeep Dadlani, currently Global Chief Digital Officer at candy and food product provider MARS and formerly President at systems integrator Infosys, and Sarah Hagan, currently CFO at cloud based ERP software maker ECi Software Solutions and formerly Vice President of Finance, Airline Solutions at travel technology provider Sabre.

Froman said he is excited about the deep experience that the board of directors will provide to lead the company into the future. “Without a doubt this is the most talented board I have ever worked with,” he said.

Froman – a 39 year channel veteran - said he expects to rely heavily on Dixon for advice given that Dixon left and returned to CompuCom several times. “Jim is going to be a good sounding board for me,” he said.

Froman said the quality of the technical and sales talent of Pomeroy is second to none. “That is our best asset,” he said. “We have great people. If you take care of your people everything else will work out.”

Another big plus for Pomeroy is a stable base of longtime managed services customers, said Froman. “We have a solid service business and a strong backlog,” he said.

Froman said he is likely to eye acquisitions in the future as a result of the consolidation in the channel likely from the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID is going to create vulnerabilities and more consolidation,” he said.

Besides Pomeroy’s longtime employees welcoming him back with open arms, Froman said his wife is also happy to see him back at the helm.

“My wife called retirement twice the husband and half the income,” he said. “She said go back to work. It’s great to be back working with old friends. I am very optimistic about the future.”