Paging Network Inc. has a new face and so does the wireless industry with the appointment of Glenn Marschel as the company’s new president and chief executive officer.
Marschel comes to PageNet from First Financial Management Corp., where he was vice chairman and chief operating officer for the company’s financial and health care businesses. The Atlanta-based company was acquired in October by First Data Corp.
“I am very pleased to have accepted this position,” said Marschel in a teleconference last Wednesday. Marschel hailed PageNet as a well-positioned company because of its management team, market position, financial capabilities and large and growing client base. “I look forward to joining that team and being part of even more dynamic future growth.”
Although most recently with First Financial, Marschel’s career has been concentrated at Automated Data Processing Inc., where he served for 23 years. From 1989 to 1994, he was president of ADP’s Employer Services Group. Marschel served as president of the Dealer Services Division from 1987 to 1989 and as president of ADP’s Wholesale Distribution Services Division from 1985 to 1987. He held a number of other executive positions at ADP in areas of marketing, strategic planning, sales and client services.
News of Marschel’s appointment comes seven months after Terry Scott resigned his post, which just became effective Oct. 31. PageNet founder and Chairman George Perrin described the pursuit for a president and CEO as a “pretty exhaustive exercise.”
“I really believe that this was more of a cultural search than it was what I would determine to be a technical search,” said Perrin. “My concern always was whether or not they fit with the culture of this company, and whether they had what I would call a value-driven orientation.” Marschel’s appointment came as a surprise to those who were expecting a seasoned wireless executive.
Perrin explained that Marschel “has the appropriate background for management structure and track record for developing value for shareholders,” as well as extensive experience in high-growth businesses. Perrin also said that while ADP and PageNet’s industries are different, operations are similar.
Still Marschel faces challenges, those which come with any new job and those of learning a new industry. He said he plans gaining industry knowledge by talking to analysts, reading industry publications and acquainting himself with people on all levels at PageNet.
Perrin returned to the company full-time in April following Scott’s announcement to resign. Asked how long he intends to stay active, Perrin replied, “As long as I can be helpful, I intend on being helpful.”
