A former high-ranking executive of BrightPoint Inc. has joined Angie’s List Inc. as the Indianapolis-based public company’s chief operating officer.

Angie’s List said Thursday morning that J. Mark Howell will begin his duties at the company March 1.

Ingram Micro Inc., the California-based company that acquired BrightPoint three months ago, announced Jan. 7 that Howell would be leaving the company to “pursue personal interests.”

Howell become president of Ingram Micro’s North American region after Brightpoint merged with it in October. He had spent 18 years in upper management at BrightPoint, which provides logistics and distribution services to the mobile technology industry.

Howell told IBJ on Thursday morning that his departure from Ingram Micro was a "natural part of the overall transition" of the company and he is looking forward to contributing to Angie's List.

"[CEO] Bill Oesterle is someone I've known for many, many years and someone I look up to and admire," Howell said. "I think it provides a great professional opportunity to be a part of an incredibly dynamic company."

The chief operating officer position at Angie’s List had been vacant since April, when Scott Brenton left after 13 years to join e-commerce firm One Click Ventures LLC in Greenwood as its chief marketing officer.

Oesterle said in a prepared statement that he is excited to have Howell on board.

“His combination of operations and financial expertise will enhance our leadership team as our company continues its rapid growth,” he said.

In its last quarter, Angie’s List posted a widening loss due to hefty advertising spending, but succeeded in attracting hundreds of thousands of new subscribers to its online business ratings and reviews, boosting revenue 75 percent.

The company said total paid memberships increased 68 percent, to 1.66 million, in the period ended Sept. 30. Paying customers get access to consumer ratings on everything from local plastic surgeons to sewer cleaners.

Shares of Angie’s List were trading at $11.97 each Thursday morning, down 2.3 percent on the day, but up from a 52-week low of $8.94 in August.