Lifetouch eliminates some top-management layers in reorganization

Lifetouch continues to make top management changes following the installation of Greg Hintz as the new division president. In an internal announcement obtained by the Dead Pixels Society and confirmed by parent company spokesperson Sondra Harding of Shutterfly Inc., the roles of schools executive vice president and COO and vice president of marketing were eliminated, affecting 14-year veteran Tom Wargolet and 13-year veteran Andrea Ponto. Further, Phil Kelly, vice president for schools announced his resignation but will stay on in a transitional role. At the same time, a new role leading enterprise-wide sales will be opening.

“The management changes announced at Lifetouch organize the teams functionally rather than by host-focused business unit,” says Harding. “Most notably, instead of schools-focused and specialty-focused leaders, there will be a head of sales and a head of operations, serving all hosts and customers. Additionally, to ensure hosts and customers across all business units hear the same Lifetouch story, all marketing will be aligned under the head of Lifetouch enterprise marketing.”

Harding added the changes are across Lifetouch, not just the schools business. For example, David Potente, who was the head of the specialty business is now vice president, operations, for all of Lifetouch.

The move will centralize key functions, identify the best ideas and move quickly to implement them, she explained. Harding noted the reorg was made independent of the Apollo transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter.