Aspect Software Names New CEO Following Top Exec's Exit

In addition, Mohamad Ali, who was announced as CEO of Aspect's workforce optimization group only eight weeks ago in what was to be a dual-CEO structure with Foy, is no longer with Aspect. According to the company, Ali exited Aspect following a legal dispute with Ali's former employer, Avaya, that would have prevented Ali's working at Aspect.

Bloom, a 28-year technology veteran, was most recently CEO of Escalate Retail, a Golden Gate Capital company that was acquired by RedPrairie Corp. in 2011. He previously served as CEO for GERS Retail Systems and held various executive positions with Capgemini, Mainspring, Ernst & Young and DSSI.

"Aspect is an asset-rich organization at a time when enterprise businesses are rethinking how they compete through differentiated customer experiences," Bloom said in a statement. "This is a pivotal time for the company to capitalize on its technologies, strategic investments and industry relationships in order to successfully prepare and position ourselves for sustained market growth and investor returns in the years ahead."

[Related: The Most Significant IT Executive Moves Of 2012 (So Far) ]

Foy led Chelmsford, Mass.-based Aspect for 10 years, and the company cited several acquisitions and Aspect's work with Microsoft as highlights of his tenure. Aspect and Microsoft's four-year-old strategic alliance -- which included an equity investment in Aspect by Microsoft -- promoted interoperability between Aspect's Unified IP contact center and Microsoft's Lync UC platform.

Former Avaya services chief Ali became CEO of Aspect's workforce optimization unit in early June, with Foy, at the time, becoming CEO of its interactive management division.

But Ali stepped down from the role effective July 19, according to a recent Aspect 8-K filing, following a lawsuit filed by Avaya over a non-compete agreement it had with Ali.

A spokesperson for Aspect confirmed to CRN Wednesday that Avaya has successfully won a preliminary injunction from a Massachusetts District Court judge to enforce Ali's non-compete. In the 8-K filing, Aspect states that "Aspect and Avaya are in discussions regarding Mr. Ali."

Aspect's made other key hires lately, including Bob Krakauer, formerly an interim CFO with Permira Capital, as its executive vice president and CFO. Krakauer replaced Michael Provenzano, who according to an 8-K filing left Aspect to pursue other opportunities.

PUBLISHED AUG. 1, 2012