CGI's Morea retires; U.S. leadership shuffled
By
Nick Wakeman
Donna Morea steps down after 31 years, but will join the board. Who's going to fill her shoes at CGI?
Donna Morea, president of CGI Group’s U.S. and India operations, is retiring but will likely join the company’s board of directors.
Stepping into her U.S. leadership role will be George Schindler, current president of CGI Federal. He becomes president of CGI U.S. Operations. Donna Ryan, senior vice president of the federal unit, will become president of the CGI Federal. The changes take effect Oct. 1.
Morea leaves after 31 years with the company, including 24 years at American Management Systems, which CGI, a Canadian company, acquired in 2004 to gain its first serious foothold in the U.S. market.
Her post on the board is subject to approval by shareholders at the annual meeting in February.
Morea said she is comfortable retiring now because of the people replacing her. “I now have an executive leadership team in place in CGI Federal, [U.S. enterprise markets] and India that will not only help us prevail over the market challenges in fiscal 2012 but also positions us for future growth in the years ahead,” she said.
The U.S. enterprise markets is lead by Nazzic Turner, senior vice president and general manager. India will continue to be led by S. Chandramouli, who will now report to CGI CEO Michael Roach.
Under Morea’s leadership, the CGI in United States has seen business grow from about $870 million in 2005 to $2.3 billion in 2011. She also led efforts to acquire Stanley Associates Inc. in 2010.
“I also see the growth of our strong, blue chip client base across both the government and commercial sectors as a significant accomplishment,” she said.
Morea also said the counts among her accomplishments, CGI’s “onshore” initiatives that have created 550 jobs in two rural communities, one in southwest Virginia and another in Troy, Ala.
“She has been a leader and a mentor in many ways,” Schindler said. “A tireless champion for client service, taking care of our members, building the business, and making a difference in our communities. I was honored to work for her and I look forward to her continued leadership as a member of the CGI board.”
Before taking over CGI Federal, Schindler ran CGI’s banking and financial services practice. Ryan has been managing CGI’s federal civilian business. Ryan’s appointment is subject to approval by the Defense Security Service, because CGI is a Canadian company.
Morea said she would like to serve on the board of another public company in addition to CGI. She also will continue her community service and non-profit work in the Northern Virginia area.
“I am looking forward to taking a break from full-time work for a bit and spending some time at our home on the Eastern Shore,” she said. “Then, I think I will just see what the future brings.”