NEW YORK, May 23 (Reuters) - No. 2 U.S. office supply retailer Office Depot Inc named its interim chief executive, Neil Austrian, as permanent CEO on Monday.
The news came more than six months after former CEO Steve Odland resigned on Nov. 1 after settling improper disclosure charges with U.S. regulators.
'While we met many qualified candidates who were excited about the opportunity, we kept coming back to Neil,' said Marty Evans, a member of the company's board who led the CEO search committee.
'Over his seven months at the helm, Neil has had a profound effect on the company, its culture, and its relationships with key stakeholders,' Evans said.
Austrian, who has been an Office Depot director since 1998.
(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: OFFICEDEPOT/ (dhanya.skariachan @thomsonreuters.com; + 1 646 223 6191; Reuters Messaging:dhanya.skariachan.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The news came more than six months after former CEO Steve Odland resigned on Nov. 1 after settling improper disclosure charges with U.S. regulators.
'While we met many qualified candidates who were excited about the opportunity, we kept coming back to Neil,' said Marty Evans, a member of the company's board who led the CEO search committee.
'Over his seven months at the helm, Neil has had a profound effect on the company, its culture, and its relationships with key stakeholders,' Evans said.
Austrian, who has been an Office Depot director since 1998.
(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: OFFICEDEPOT/ (dhanya.skariachan @thomsonreuters.com; + 1 646 223 6191; Reuters Messaging:dhanya.skariachan.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.