Maritz announced that Steve Maritz will move into an executive chairman role following nearly 25 successful years of leading the company as CEO & Chairman. David Peckinpaugh, current president of Maritz Global Events, one of Maritz Holdings’ core business units, will take over day-to-day management of Maritz Holdings as President & CEO effective January 1, 2022.
This executive leadership change marks an important shift for Maritz from long-term family management to long-term family ownership, which is a natural evolution of many privately held businesses. The Maritz Family – Steve and his sons, Ted, Willie and Jack – remain active shareholders and members of the Maritz Board of Directors.
“I’ve been proud to be a steward of this great company for 25 years. It was here a long time before me, and it will be here a long time after me,” says Steve Maritz, executive chairman, Maritz Holdings. “I believe it’s my responsibility to leave Maritz better than it was when I took over, and I think I’ve done that.”
Maritz Holdings and its portfolio of businesses – Maritz Automotive, Maritz Global Events and Maritz Motivation – are on solid ground and significantly growing as it quickly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s executive leadership team will remain in place, ensuring the continued long-term success of the business:
- Rick Ramos will continue to serve as Maritz’ chief financial officer (CFO) and co-president of Maritz Motivation.
- Steve Gallant will continue to serve as Maritz’ general counsel and co-president 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 taking on his new role as Maritz’ president & CEO, overseeing and partnering with Rick, Steve and Jeff on Maritz enterprise efforts.
Peckinpaugh’s familiarity with the overall Maritz business and its portfolio of businesses, from his nearly 11 years as leader of Maritz Global Events, provides stability and continuity of leadership and positions the company for continued, long-term success.
“David has proven himself to be an incredible leader. He delivers results. He builds a great culture. He’s a strong operator and well respected – both internally and externally,” says Maritz.
In his new role, Peckinpaugh will be responsible for guiding overall business and go-to-market strategy, evolving the company’s collective vision and fostering Maritz’ unique, people-focused culture. Additionally, David will focus in on ensuring performance and operational excellence across the Maritz enterprise. Steve Maritz will oversee high-level functions for the Maritz enterprise including finance, legal and board-related issues.
“Maritz is an incredible company that has reinvented itself and persevered to weather every single storm its faced, and there is nothing but opportunity on the horizon,” Peckinpaugh says. “We’ve led the markets we serve for years – automotive, events, employee recognition, loyalty and incentives markets – and we will continue to outpace our competition with solutions designed and delivered using the latest in behavioral science, design thinking and data-driven insights.”
Maritz has long been recognized as a people-focused culture, receiving various accolades in St. Louis and industry media as a “Best Place to Work.” Steve Maritz’ motto, “Work Hard, Have Fun, Get the Job Done” echoes through the halls of the company.
Maritz is a 127-year-old professional services company that utilizes our deep knowledge of behavioral science, combined with data insights and analytics, to solve business challenges for our Fortune 500 clients. Maritz’ portfolio of businesses increases customer loyalty, employee experience and sales performance through a variety of services and software solutions, encompassing research, incentives, rewards, experience design, creative strategy, incentive travel, meetings and events.
