Leviton (Melville, NY)
Daryoush Larizadeh (photo above) was appointed CEO, effective Dec. 1. He will continue his responsibilities as president and COO, in addition to assuming the CEO role. In his current capacity, Larizadeh has been president and COO of Leviton for the past six years, overseeing Leviton’s continued growth and building on the company’s successful history and culture of innovation.
Larizadeh assumes the role of CEO from Don Hendler who held the title since 2007 following the passing of Harold Leviton, whose father founded the company in 1906. Larizadeh becomes only the fourth CEO since the company’s founding 115 years ago. “Daryoush has been instrumental to Leviton’s success as president and COO and played a pivotal role in helping to navigate our employees and customers through a global pandemic,” said Hendler in the press release.
Also effective Dec. 1, Hendler will assume the role of chairman of the board. Stephen Sokolow, who last held this position, will become chairman of the board emeritus while remaining an executive VP of the corporation.
The Leviton board remains unchanged with Hendler, Sokolow, Andrew Kriegman and Lucy Guilherme continuing in their current responsibilities. As CEO, Daryoush Larizadeh will continue to report to the Leviton board of directors.
Crescent Electric Supply (East Dubuque, IL)
Scott Teerlinck, president & CEO, earned the distinction of being a “CEO to Watch” from Family Business magazine. Teerlinck is the second non-family member CEO of Crescent, a company founded in 1919 by Titus B. Schmid. He joined the company in May 2020, and immediately began leading through the pandemic and a company transformation.
“Scott has brought a fresh perspective and a sense of urgency, which has been well received by the board and our associates,” said Dave Keltner, Crescent’s board chairman, in the press release. “He has developed a really strong senior management team, which, along with his industry experience, strategic mindset and transparency about what needs to be done, has given us great confidence that Crescent can produce top-tier results as the company begins its second century of operation.”
Family business owners, advisers and colleagues nominated chief executives for recognition as Family Business “CEOs to Watch.” Honorees were selected by Family Business magazine’s editorial team based on the nominees’ leadership and balancing of family and business interests. Family Business selected only 28 CEOs for this honor.