Micros Systems, a leading provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, announced that its board of directors has elected Peter Altabef to succeed A.L. “Tom” Giannopoulos as Micros’ president and CEO, effective January 2, 2013.
Giannopoulos, who has served as the company’s CEO since 1993, will continue his duties as executive chairman of the company during the period of his employment, which extends to June 30, 2014.
After Giannopoulos retires, the board intends to appoint a nonexecutive, independent chairperson. The board has also expanded from six to seven directors, and Altabef will be appointed a director, effective January 2, 2013.
Altabef served as president and CEO of Perot Systems from 2004–2009, when Perot Systems was acquired by Dell, Inc.
Perot Systems was a $2.8-billion company that provided technology solutions to many multinational companies throughout the world. Upon Dell’s acquisition of Perot Systems, Altabef served as president of Dell Services until his departure in 2011.
“Under Mr. Giannopoulos’ steady leadership, Micros has prospered and thrived for two decades, and remains firmly positioned as an innovator and leader in the industries we serve,” says John J. Puente, Micros director and chairman of the compensation and nominating committee of the board of directors.
“With this transition, Mr. Giannopoulos will continue to provide executive leadership and direction for Micros, while allowing Mr. Altabef to assume daily operational responsibilities with the existing Micros executive team,” he adds. “We welcome to Micros Mr. Altabef, who has a long and distinguished history overseeing thriving technology organizations.”
Giannopoulos says, “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to lead Micros as chief executive officer over the past 20 years. In this two-decade period, Micros has grown from a small, boutique hardware purveyor to the restaurant industry to one of the world’s most dynamic and innovative technology solution providers to the global restaurant, hotel, and retail marketplaces.
“I am most proud of the deep and enduring relationships I have developed with many of our valued employees and clients, and believe the company remains in excellent hands with Mr. Altabef and our tenured strong management team,” he continues.
“I am very honored and proud to have been selected as Micros’ new president and chief executive officer,” Altabef says. “I am most excited about working with Mr. Giannopoulos and the very talented executive management team he has assembled. I am confident that we can continue to grow the company, whose foundations are strong and deep, and whose innovation in the markets we serve is unparalleled.”
