Michael Critelli plans to retire as executive chairman of Pitney Bowes Inc. at the end of 2008, with the announcement coming a year after the company promoted Murray Martin to replace Critelli as CEO.
The Stamford-based company sells mail postage meters and related systems.
Critelli joined Pitney Bowes in 1979 as a staff attorney, and was named CEO in 1996. In his decade-plus leading the company, Pitney Bowes earned more than $5 billion in profits.
Under Critelli, Pitney Bowes divested its fax, copier and equipment-finance businesses and increased its software and outsourcing capabilities. The company also became a national leader in employee health benefits, and was named eight straight years to CRO magazine”™s list of the top 100 corporate citizens.
Critelli also has advised on government policy. He lined up support for the federal Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, and in the past year has led a review of the oft-criticized Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Late last month, Gov. M. Jodi Rell nominated as DOT commissioner Joseph Marie, who is director of operations for the Phoenix regional transit system.
