Custom-install supplier Savant Systems has appointed former Barnes & Noble CEO William J. Lynch as CEO as part of its effort to bring home automation to the mass market.
Robert Madonna, Savant’s founder and CEO since 2005, will remain chairman of the board.
Savant plans to move its technology from the luxury residential market into the mass market via a new home-automation system launching in the spring. The system will be sold through Savant’s dealer network of 1,500 authorized dealers and retail outlets in 35 countries.
Lynch, who left Barnes & Noble in mid 2013, was responsible for leading the creation of the Nook e-reader and tablet devices. Before joining Barnes & Noble, Lynch held executive positions at HSNi, IAC, and Palm Computing.
“William’s history of success with breakthrough product innovation, and his proven ability to connect consumers with sophisticated, yet easy-to-use technology in a meaningful way, make him ideally suited to lead Savant Systems through this period of unprecedented opportunity and tremendous growth,” Madonna said.
Savant also offers automation technologies in such commercial sectors as enterprise, retail, education, arenas, government, hospitality and luxury transportation.