After four decades at Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO), President and CEO F. Dixon Brooke Jr. announced his plans to retire at the end of this current fiscal year, June 30, 2014. Brooke joined EBSCO in
1973, and has spent the past eight and a half years serving as President and CEO— only the third President in EBSCO’s 70- year history.
“We owe a great thanks to Dixon for his long service to EBSCO,” said J.T. Stephens, Chairman of the Board. “We greatly appreciate his guidance and the continuing success of the company under his management. We thank Dixon heartily and wish him a well-deserved and enjoyable retirement.”
After a lengthy and thorough succession process, the Board of Directors has selected Tim Collins, President of EBSCO Information Services, to succeed Brooke effective at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1, 2014.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as EBSCO’s President,” said Brooke. “It has been challenging, demanding at times, and very rewarding. EBSCO is a great organization, full of wonderful, talented people. We are indeed fortunate to have Tim Collins ready and willing to step up to this new leadership challenge. Tim is an exceptionally accomplished leader with a proven management record marked by success.”
Brooke and Collins will work closely over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition; and during that time, Collins will continue to serve as President of EBSCO’s largest division, EBSCO Information Services. Following retirement, Brooke will continue to serve EBSCO as a member of the Board of Directors.
Collins has 27 years’ experience with EBSCO, beginning in 1987 when EBSCO acquired “Popular Magazine Review,” the company he co-founded with his stepfather, Jerry Seaman. Collins is a member of the EBSCO Founder’s Club, and he has never experienced a year without sales growth. “Tim possesses values consistent with the core values that have made EBSCO successful,” said Brooke. “He is an entrepreneur who manages with a determined outlook. He is a competitor who loves to win. Tim selects, supports, and retains good people. I have no doubt he will succeed in leading EBSCO to new performance highs.”
“I feel honored to have been presented with this opportunity. I’ve very much enjoyed my time working with many talented and committed people at EBSCO and am excited about being able to work with the entire EBSCO team in the future,” said Collins. “I am looking forward to working with Dixon over the coming months during the transition period and then working to help EBSCO realize its full potential over the long run.”
