Withers Retires at EiKO; Laird Assumes CEO Responsibilities

EiKO Global LLC (Shawnee, KS): CEO Gary Withers retired on Dec. 31 and at that time Rick Laird, who had been EiKO’s president, assumed the role of president/CEO. Under Withers’ 33 years of leadership, EiKO grew from a small family business to a global lighting manufacturer with offices on three continents. Withers will continue to serve in a consulting role and board member of EiKO Global.

Laird began his career in the lighting business at Philips Lighting in 1990, moved to Osram Sylvania S in 1995, and joined EiKO in 2007. During his career, he has spent time in several different roles in product development, sales/marketing and business unit management. Laird became EiKO President in 2012.