Ontario Systems names new president & CEO

He replaces Ontario co-founder Wil Davis, who continues as chairman.

Davis was not immediately available for comment. But co-founder Ron Fauquher said top management jobs had grown too large for one person to handle. The pair had led Ontario since its founding in 1980. The company now has 442 employees.

“It’s a real natural transition, driven by growth,” said Fauquher, who remains as senior vice president and a board member. “We really think we’re at a point where the growth curve starts to accelerate.”

Reisz was found by New York-based executive placement firm Russell Reynolds Associates after an eight-month search. Reisz held executive jobs for Cary, N.C.-based local telephone directory specialist R.H. Donnelly Corp. and ChoicePoint Asset Co. LLC, an Atlanta risk management consulting firm.

Reisz takes over Ontario day-to-day executive leadership on July 28. He’ll lead efforts to diversify clientele, Fauquher said.

Historically, most Ontario’s customers were debt-collection agencies and utilities. About four years ago, Ontario began developing niche applications for different industries.

Ontario has finished pilot projects for accounts-receivable management in health care, credit card and financial services. Fauquher said Reisz, whose previous experience was in sales and marketing, will target growth of the new lines.

“He’ll bring us lots of things, but one of the things we’re really counting on is for him to refine the strategy, refine the growth plan and then execute,” Fauquher said. “Our strategy has always been to be in multiple markets, so we can take advantage when the economy is up or down in different sectors.”

Ontario now has about 400 customers, Fauquher said. He declined to reveal the private company’s annual revenue.