Rick Leaman to become Osram Sylvania president and CEO

June 22, 2009
On October 1, Leaman will take over from Charlie Jerabek, who will assume the role of vice chairman.
Rick Leaman Lighting manufacturer Osram Sylvania today named Rick Leaman as president and CEO, to take effect on October 1. Leaman will succeed Charlie Jerabek, who will assume a new role as the company’s vice chairman.

Under Jerabek’s leadership, Osram Sylvania had sales of 1.75 billion Euros (~$2.44 billion) in fiscal year 2008. Jerabek was named president and CEO in 2001.

Leaman will serve as CEO for Osram Sylvania’s consumer lighting, professional lighting and specialty lighting business units in North America, and will also serve as a member of Osram Sylvania’s 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.”

He has been executive VP and GM 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.

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).

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.

Editor's Note: For more information on Charlie Jerabek, visit the web site, B-Green Collaborative, which has an interview with him regarding Osram Sylvania's policies on green energy and the role of LEDs in achieving reduced greenhouse gas goals. See www.bgrncol.com/bgcontent/osi/.