Gerry Remers to step down as Christie Digital Chief Operating Officer

Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Gerry Remers will be stepping down from his role at the Waterloo visual and audio technology company effective July 8, but intends to remain involved in a special advisory capacity to Jack Kline, Christie’s global Chairman, President and CEO.

Remers oversaw the sale of Kitchener’s Electrohome Projection Systems, of which he was President, to Christie in 1999.
“Gerry has been, in numerous ways, a key architect in building Christie into the successful, global company it is today and while reluctant to part with such a valued contributor, I understand his motivation, which is to embrace new horizons,” said Kline. “On a personal note, Gerry has become a close friend and I’m delighted that he will be advising me going forward, and I wish him continued success in his new career.”

For his role in building Christie into a world-leading projector and digital display company, Remers has been inducted into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and given Communitech’s Luminary Entrepreneur Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

“In my time at Christie, supported by an admirable workforce and my peers in the executive team, I was privileged to be part of an amazing success story, growing the company ten-fold in revenues from 1999 to today, and from 120 employees to our global base of 1,600,” said Remers. “My new career will leverage the deep well of experience and expertise gained during this time, as I provide strategic consulting and advisory services to firms looking to scale their global operations.”

Remers was the inaugural chair for the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation Board and the United Way of K-W’s Executive Campaign Chair and Technology Chair, and “in his spare time” has also served as an honorary member on various boards, advisory committees and leadership councils, including for the University of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, Communitech, Perimeter Institute, and Shad International.

He has an MBA from York University and has completed post-graduate work in finance at the University of Cologne, Germany, and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo and a double honors Bachelor of Arts degree (German and Philosophy) from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ihor Stech, Executive Vice President of Operations at Christie, will replace Remers as Chief Operating Officer.

“Ihor’s extensive management experience has helped generate exponential growth in operations and manufacturing, allowing our company and our customers to remain on the cutting-edge of innovative solutions for business, entertainment and industry,” said Kline. “I look forward to continuing this success with Ihor as COO of Christie Canada.”