SAINT-LOUIS – After 25 years leading Maritz Global Events as CEO and President, Steve Maritz now serves as Executive Chairman. David Peckinpaugh, currently President of Maritz Global Events, one of Maritz Holdings’ core business units, will assume day-to-day management of Maritz Holdings as President and CEO, effective January 1, 2022.
This change in leadership marks a significant shift for Maritz from long-term family management to long-term family ownership, which is a natural evolution of many privately held companies. The Maritz family – Steve and his sons, Ted, Willie and Jack – remain active shareholders and members of the Maritz Board of Directors.
“I’m proud to have been the steward of this great company for the past 25 years. It was here long before me and it will be here long after me,” said Steve Maritz, executive chairman of Maritz Holdings. “I believe it’s my responsibility to leave Maritz in a better place than it was when I took over, and I believe I’ve done just that.”
Maritz Holdings and its portfolio of businesses – Maritz Automotive, Maritz Global Events and Maritz Motivation – are on solid footing and experiencing significant growth as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company’s management team will remain in place and will consist of:
- Rick Ramos will continue to serve as Maritz’s CFO and co-president of Maritz Motivation.
- Steve Gallant will continue to serve as Maritz’s general counsel and co-chairman of Maritz Motivation.
- Jeff Kellstrom will continue to serve as President of Maritz Automotive.
- David Peckinpaugh will continue to serve as president of Maritz Global Events, while also assuming his new role as president and CEO of Maritz, overseeing and partnering with Ramos, Gallant and Kellstrom on Maritz’s corporate efforts.
Peckinpaugh’s knowledge of Maritz’s entire business and portfolio of activities, gained during his nearly 11 years leading Maritz Global Events, makes him an ideal successor.
“David has proven himself to be an incredible leader. He gets results. He creates a great company culture. He is a strong and well-respected leader, both internally and externally,” Maritz said.
In his new role, Steve Peckinpaugh will be responsible for guiding the company’s overall strategy and go-to-market, evolving the company’s collective vision and fostering Maritz’s unique, people-centric culture. Steve will oversee senior-level functions across the Maritz business, including financial, legal and board-related matters.
“Maritz is an incredible company that has reinvented itself and persevered through every storm it has faced, and there is nothing on the horizon but opportunity,” Peckinpaugh said. “We are leaders in the markets we have served for years – automotive, events, employee recognition, loyalty and incentives – and we will continue to outpace our competitors with solutions designed and delivered using the latest advancements in behavioral science, design thinking and data-driven analytics.”
Contact David Peckinpaugh at (636) 827-4000 or david.peckinpaugh@maritz.com