Texada Names New Chairman; Swisher to Remain as CEO and Director

Nov. 11, 2011
Texada Software has named Nabil Kassam executive chairman of the board, effective immediately. Kassam is a representative of Texada’s largest shareholder and has served as a director since October 2010. Since that time Kassam has worked closely with Willie Swisher and Texada’s management team to develop and execute strategic initiatives.

Texada Software has named Nabil Kassam executive chairman of the board, effective immediately. Kassam is a representative of Texada’s largest shareholder and has served as a director since October 2010. Since that time Kassam has worked closely with Willie Swisher and Texada’s management team to develop and execute strategic initiatives.

Swisher had been in the dual role of chairman and CEO, and will continue to lead the company as CEO and remain a director. Swisher was named chairman in June 2010 and CEO in October 2010.

“Since my appointment as CEO one year ago it has been our intention to find a suitable replacement for the position of chairman of the board so that we could split the responsibilities of chairman and CEO for the purposes of good governance,” said Swisher. “I have worked closely with Nabil for a number of years and I am confident that his appointment as executive chairman will strengthen Texada’s ability to continue to successfully carry out its strategic objectives.”

As managing director of Zynik Capital Corp., a Vancouver-based investment firm, Kassam has led a wide variety of successful private and public company investments in multiple sectors. Kassam holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Texada also named Samir Manji and William Palmer to the company’s board, subject to regulatory approvals. Manji is president and CEO of Amica Mature Lifestyles. Palmer is an executive with more than 35 years of starting, operating, growing and financing a variety of businesses.

Texada is a major supplier of software to the equipment rental industry and owner of Rolls High Reach, based in Ventura, Calif.