WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with the new president of Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Doug Albregts to get an update on Sharp’s business in the U.S.

WTT: Doug, you’ve been at Sharp for about six months now. Can you share with us what attracted you to this position and a bit about your background?

DA: Sharp was seen in the document imaging business as being at a crossroads in terms of both product and go-to-market strategy. The company was seeking a leader who had some exposure to the industry but with strengths outside the industry as well, including IT and other aspects. I’ve had a diverse background, including four years in packaged goods; merging different environments into a single organization at NEC; and helping Samsung grow its U.S. business. I was attracted to Sharp because I believed they had a vision of how to incorporate collaboration and customization into the office workspace. Sharp has products, differentiated technology, and diverse intellectual property, including displays. Sharp also has insight into what the office environment of the future will look like.