Today is a big day at Altify. It’s the start of our new FY18 financial year and we have ambitious plans; to grow even faster than before and maintain our leading market position – while at the same time continuing to take care of our employees and our customers.
Today is also a big day because we have a new CEO. I am thrilled that Anthony Reynolds has joined us to lead the charge. Check out his profile and you will see why I am thrilled. But it’s not just his experience and skillset; he also cares deeply about customers and company culture, two things that have been at the heart of the success at Altify.
I remain fully and actively engaged. As Executive Chairman I’m looking forward to the opportunity this change provides me to spend more face-time with customers, invest deeply in our strategy and work hand-in-hand with the sales team on key customer relationships.
Here’s the internal message I sent to the company:
From: Donal Daly
Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 4:32 PM
To: All Employees
Subject: Exciting Company News Executive Update
All,
I have some exciting news.
Effective tomorrow February 1, 2017 my role at Altify will change from CEO to Executive Chairman and we are appointing a new CEO, Anthony Reynolds, to the company. I am pleased and excited about this for many reasons.
I am proud of our leading position in the market today. You’ve brought us here.
We have a distinct competitive advantage and deliver extraordinary value to our customers. We are here today because of the original strategic vision that we developed 12 years ago and have honed over the intervening years with your help and in partnership with our customers. Your commitment to that vision, our culture, and our customers form the foundation of our company. In 2017 (FY18) I want to invest more time on our strategic vision for the next 3-5 years, re-imagine some of our products and service offerings, visit more with our customers, and directly support the sales team. This change will allow me to do that, and I am more than excited.
It has become increasingly clear that we need an executive presence in San Francisco at the most senior level. This is where the CEO should be. What if we could find the right executive, with the right network, cultural fit and values, proven track record and experience? Then we could build a Bay Area center of gravity for Altify to propel the business forward. With Anthony we get much more than ‘just’ a Bay Area executive. Jim and I have been working with Anthony since last August and are secure in the knowledge that, having been on this journey before, Anthony is the right CEO to take the company to the next level. We should all be excited about this.
You’ve all done a remarkable job on the journey so far – yet there is so much more that we can achieve. I know you will support Anthony as you bring your best self to Altify every day. I am not going anywhere – as I said I’m going to spend more time on strategic vision, customer engagement and support of our sales team – but Anthony is your CEO, and as we move into this next chapter for the company, he brings his energy, drive, experience and new ideas to help the company reach further into the stratosphere and fully realize our vision.
I am truly fired up about this next chapter.
Tomorrow is the day. Though Jim and I have been collaborating with Anthony on the next Altify chapter for a few months, he begins officially tomorrow February 1. Those of you based in Dublin or at SKO next week will get to meet him, and I know he is anxious to meet with all of you and learn from your perspective – so please make sure we all benefit from that opportunity.
I am here to support you and to support Anthony and I continue to be grateful for your commitment to the company. Your talent, passion and drive have afforded us this opportunity to propel Altify forward to become the global de-facto standard in our space.
We can. We will.
Thank you
Donal
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