Lighting manufacturer OSRAM SYLVANIA yesterday named Rick Leaman as president and CEO, effective Oct. 1. Leaman will succeed Charlie Jerabek, who will assume a new role as the company’s vice chairman. The announcement was made by Martin Goetzeler, CEO of Munich-based OSRAM GmbH.

 Rick Leaman

Leaman takes the helm of a leading innovator of solid-state and conventional lighting technologies. Under Jerabek’s leadership, OSRAM SYLVANIA rose to its current position as North America’s number one lighting supplier, with sales of 1.75 billion Euros in fiscal year 2008.

"I am delighted that Rick Leaman has been chosen to succeed me,” said Jerabek. “Rick's strong operational background especially in the turbulent automotive industry has prepared him well to continue steering our leadership position in traditional lighting technologies while successfully transitioning to solid state lighting. I am also pleased to take on a new role as vice chairman, providing both industry and customer support for OSRAM SYLVANIA that complements Rick's role as CEO."

Leaman will serve as chief executive for OSRAM SYLVANIA’s consumer lighting, professional lighting and specialty lighting business units in Canada, Mexico and the United States. He will also serve as a member of the OSRAM SYLVANIA board of directors.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead OSRAM SYLVANIA into a new era of innovation,” said Leaman. “Our organization has unmatched lighting expertise and will lead the transition to energy-saving lighting in homes, businesses and vehicles across North America.”

Jerabek will continue as a member of the OSRAM SYLVANIA board of directors and support the company in legislative activities and industry associations such as the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED).

“Rick’s broad operational and demonstrated leadership experience will serve us well,” said Goetzeler. “The significant time he has spent leading a global business unit adds to his credentials as the best choice to succeed Charlie.”

Leaman has been executive vice president and general manager of OSRAM’s global Automotive Lighting division in Munich, Germany since 2006. His 25-year lighting career has included executive positions in OSRAM SYLVANIA’s automotive lighting, materials and components, and general lighting businesses. Leaman is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in administrative and management science, mathematics and economics.

Jerabek began his career with SYLVANIA as a sales engineer in 1973 and occupied a variety of sales, marketing, operations and general management positions before being named president and CEO in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. degree from Boston University.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com.