ViewSonic Names Franey Americas President Amid Restructuring

Franey, who was president of ViewSonic Europe, was the driving force behind ViewSonic's aggressive channel buildup in the Americas when he served as the Walnut, Calif.-based company's head of sales from 1995 to 1999. His appointment is part of a number of changes designed to extend the reach of ViewSonic's display and other visual products. All of the changes are slated to take effect July 1.

Under the reorganization, Jeff Volpe, vice president of sales for the Americas, will become vice president of marketing for ViewSonic Americas. Volpe, who was driving the company's channel strategy, will continue to act in both sales and marketing roles until a replacement is named. In addition, ViewSonic is searching for a new vice president of sales--who will effectively act as channel chief for the company--as well as a new president of Europe.

Mel Taylor, who joined ViewSonic a year ago as vice president of marketing for Europe, was named acting president of ViewSonic Europe. Taylor is a candidate for the president of Europe post.

As part of a move to sharpen its focus across three regional geographies, ViewSonic named Tony Dowzall to the new post of corporate vice president of strategic planning. Dowzall, formerly vice president of marketing, joined ViewSonic a year ago.

Finally, Robert Moon will add the title of CIO and continue to have responsibility for standardizing ViewSonic's global IT operations. Moon joined ViewSonic three years ago as vice president of information services.

Franey, Dowzall and Moon will report to ViewSonic founder, Chairman and CEO James Chu. Chu said in a statement that the personnel moves are part of ViewSonic's commitment to "continuing its expansion in both the business-to-business and consumer-electronics markets. The combination of an extended global management structure and the knowledge base this seasoned talent brings will strengthen all aspects of our business."

ViewSonic has added more than 1,000 partners to its channel program over the past year. The company has said that its channel investment is up about 20 percent this year.