OMAHA, Neb—Oct 5, 2009
Ballantyne Names Chris Stark as SVP & COO
Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE Amex: BTN), a provider of digital cinema projection equipment and services, cinema screens and other cinema products announced today the promotion of Chris D. Stark, 47, to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ballantyne. Mr. Stark previously served as the Company’s Vice President of Operations, having joined Ballantyne in April 2007.
John P. Wilmers, President and CEO of Ballantyne, commented, “Chris’ promotion to the role of COO acknowledges the important contributions he has made at Ballantyne in his little over two years here, as well as management’s and the Board’s confidence in his ongoing leadership. Ballantyne faces an exciting future as the cinema industry braces for the accelerated transition to digital projection technologies, including 3-D, over the next few years. We are confident Chris will play an integral role in guiding Ballantyne as we further position our organization, operations and staff to fully address the potential growth opportunities that digital technologies present.”
At Ballantyne, Mr. Stark has worked across its business units to implement a wide range of operational, strategic and administrative improvements. He played an instrumental role in the acquisition of the MDI cinema screen operation and the subsequent implementation of capacity and efficiency enhancements at the plant, as well as securing a significant supply agreement with a major customer. In addition, Mr. Stark has also initiated a range of operational improvements at the company’s cinema service business, which have reduced costs and improved employee utilization. He has also played a leadership role in securing several cinema service agreements.
Prior to joining Ballantyne, Mr. Stark served as General Manager of the specialty retailer Nobbies, Inc. where he expanded the company three-fold over a seven year period, developing a business plan and strategies while integrating core processes and controls to drive ongoing business growth. Previously Mr. Stark served as Vice President of Client Support Services at First Data Resources where he held other senior management positions supporting credit card operations and business acquisitions over a twelve-year tenure at the firm.
Mr. Stark is an Omaha native, married with two sons and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree.