[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

Pitney Bowes has appointed Marc B. Lautenbach as president and CEO, effective immediately. Mr. Lautenbach has also been appointed to the company’s Board, effective immediately.

In another development, Michael I. Roth, currently lead independent director, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the board.  With these changes, the Pitney Bowes Board of Directors includes 13 individuals, 12 of whom are independent.

Mr. Lautenbach succeeds Murray D. Martin, who is retiring as the company’s chairman, president and CEO and has resigned from the company’s board of directors. Mr. Martin will continue to work with Mr. Lautenbach during the transition.

Mr. Lautenbach joins Pitney Bowes with nearly 30 years of experience in the technology and business services industry, having served in senior leadership positions at IBM.

In his role as Managing Partner of IBM North America Global Business Services, Mr. Lautenbach (51) was responsible for the consulting and systems integration business, overseeing professionals globally.

Previously, as general manager, IBM North America, Mr. Lautenbach led the IBM sales and distribution operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Prior to that, Mr. Lautenbach was general manager, IBM Global Small and Medium Business. Mr. Lautenbach was appointed to IBM’s Worldwide Management Committee in 2001, and then to the Performance Team and the Integration and Values Team in 2006.

Mr. Lautenbach graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude from Denison University and also earned an M.B.A. from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.