Thorsten Heins has been named the new President and CEO of RIM. He was also appointed to the board. Thorsten Heins was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales at RIM.
Mike Lazaridis, former Co-Chair and Co-CEO, is now Vice Chair of RIM’s Board and Chair of the Board’s new Innovation Committee. Jim Balsillie remains a member of the Board.
Mr. Heins said he believes that RIM has tremendous potential. A video of his statements follows.
"I agree this is the right time to pass the baton to new leadership, and I have complete confidence in Thorsten, the management team and the company," Jim Balsillie said, "I remain a significant shareholder and a Director and, of course, they will have my full support."
Mr. Lazaridis said that he decided to move from Co-Chair to Vice Chair of the Board in order to return the public's focus to what is most important: "the great company we have built, its iconic products, global brand and its talented employees."
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