Blanchard Announces New President

Jan. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO -- The Ken Blanchard Companies®, a global leader in workplace learning and leadership development, announced today that Howard Farfel has been promoted to the role of President to lead Blanchard into a new phase of growth and innovation. Mr. Farfel, who recently served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, takes over as President of the company effective the first of the year.

Mr. Farfel brings nearly 20 years of sales, marketing, business strategy, and general management experience. Before joining Blanchard, he spent six years at The Upper Deck Company, the world's largest sports and entertainment collectibles company. Mr. Farfel also worked in the brand management function at Clorox and, prior to that, he was with Bain & Company, one of the world's leading strategy consulting firms, where he helped develop and implement strategic initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Farfel received an undergraduate degree from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford University.

The current President and CEO of Blanchard, Tom McKee, will move to CEO and Chairman of the Board. Since starting with the company in 1987, Mr. McKee has also held the positions of CFO, General Manager, Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer.

“Howard is a strong, values-led leader and has been a significant contributor to this organization,” said Mr. McKee. “He will be instrumental in continuing our momentum going forward, and we’re confident that he will help Blanchard strengthen our organization, increase its impact with clients, and help create many new and valuable opportunities for our associates and partners in the coming years.”

# # #

With nearly three decades of helping leaders and organizations, programs offered in more than 12 languages and clients across five continents, The Ken Blanchard Companies® is recognized as one of the world’s leading training and development experts.