Sources inform "Globes" that Zeev Bregman is set to be named as the new CEO of NICE-Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: NICE; TASE:NICE). He will replace Haim Shani who has been appointed the director general of the Ministry of Finance.
Bregman is a former CEO of Comverse Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:CMVT) subsidiary Comverse Inc. and is considered one of the most talented managers to have been produced by that company and Israeli high-tech in general. He began his career with Efrat (the forerunner of Comverse) and swiftly found his true vocation in sales. From there he climbed the ladder to become VP sales Europe. Subsequently he was given responsibility for voice mail development, Comverse's flagship product at the time, which was responsible for 80% of the group's activities. In 2001 he became CEO.
The timing was not in his favor with the global telecom crisis in 2001 seeing Comverse's sales plummet. Bregman was forced to cope with thousands of layoffs, a lack of support from analysts who did not yet know him, and much criticism from the media.
In 2007 Bregman resigned from Comverse one year after the backdating affair erupted at the parent company.
At NICE, Shani leaves behind large shoes for Bregman to step into and a company going through difficult times after years of growth in its activities.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 27, 2009
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