Avid appoints new board director

Aspera founder and Emmy Award winner Michelle Munson has joined Avid’s board of directors. 

Munson’s appointment, which is effective immediately, was described by Avid CEO and president Jeff Rosica as a boost to the Avid board’s efforts to “gain a broader and more comprehensive view of media technology and the needs of Avid’s customers, while complementing its solid mix of experience in media and business management, governance, education and finance”.

Rosica also pointed to Munson’s background as a technologist and business leader in media technology.

• Read more: Interview: Michelle Munson

She is the co-founder and CEO of media technology provider Eluvio. Prior to that, she founded Aspera which she led as CEO for 13 years, including during its acquisition by IBM.

During that time, Munson won a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award as co-inventor of the Aspera FASP transport technology, which is used for high-speed file transfer in media operations. She was named a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), and in 2016, she won the Charles S. Swartz Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA). Munson was also named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by the IABM. She also holds several patents for methods of data and bandwidth management.

Chairman of the Board Peter Westley added: “The board is pleased to welcome Michelle Munson as a director following our extensive search to significantly enhance our team with proven media technology and business expertise. Throughout her career, Michelle has repeatedly demonstrated her abilities to foster and guide organizations in the media technology sector toward successful outcomes. We look forward to the benefits of having such a distinguished technologist and entrepreneur on the board.”

• Read more: Avid unveils reimagined media composer at NAB 2019

Meanwhile, John H. Park has resigned from Avid’s board having served as a director of the company for 12 years.

Park said: “Avid is well positioned for potential future growth and it has been my pleasure and honor to collaborate with the board and management team that’s been driving improved performance.

“The company is in good hands and, with Michelle’s technology expertise added to the mix, Avid will become better prepared for long term innovation and success.”