Brings Global, Cross-Functional Management Experience

Durham, N.C. - Bell and Howell, a leading global provider of customer communications and commerce, has named Larry Blue as Chief Operating Officer.

Blue has 35 years of engineering and global, cross-functional management experience including product development, sales and manufacturing throughout five continents. He most recently served as COO of RF Technologies, Inc., and president of Kokua, LLC.

Additional career highlights include serving as Vice President with Hughes Network Systems, Zagros Networks and Matrics, Inc.; Vice President and General Manager at Multek Flexible Circuits; Director at Micromem Technologies; President, Global Sales and Marketing at New Vision Display; President and CEO of Hi-G-Tek, Inc.; and Chairman at Trojan Defense. He began his career at IBM in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, where he progressed to the title of program manager after 13 years and directed more than 130 professionals in the development of microprocessor, token ring and digital signal processor systems.

“Larry has a strong record of innovation and success in the management of international high-tech manufacturing and marketing programs,” said Bell and Howell CEO Ramesh Ratan. “Bell and Howell is fortunate to have such a skilled executive join our team. His experience will prove invaluable as we look to refine our R&D and manufacturing processes, and explore new technologies and markets.”

Blue holds three U.S. patents, has authored numerous papers on communications and RFID, and is a member of several industry associations.

As a graduate of Duke University, with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, Blue is pleased to be returning to North Carolina.

Blue succeeds Lior Yahalomi, Managing Director, Operations at Versa Capital Management, LLC, who had been serving as interim COO.

“We thank Lior for his invaluable service as CFO and COO and in ensuring a smooth transition to Larry, and wish him the very best in his next assignment at Versa,” added Ratan.