Bill Faust Leaves Fitch

Bill Faust, ceo of Fitch's North American operation, based in Worthington, Ohio, has announced his resignation after 12 years at the retail consulting and design firm, the last two years as its head man.

Faust said he has “left to pursue some new business opportunities. I plan to stay here in Columbus.

“In the short term I'll be doing a little consulting and enjoying my family as I finalize my plans for 'what's next,'” he said.

According to a Fitch statement, “Bill Faust spent 12 years of his professional life at Fitch and was ready for a new challenge.

“His last couple of years at Fitch were spent positioning the firm as a competitor in the global marketing services industry,” said Nita Rollins, Fitch associate vp, “through re-engineering of staff and processes . . . and through collaboration with the Fitch Worldwide executive team. Now the flagship firm for parent company Cordiant's network of nine branding and design companies, Fitch has to perform for the shareholders of Cordiant.

“The timing for a change in executive leadership was deemed appropriate,” she continued, “for Fitch's entry into the publicly traded arena at a higher level of visibility, both in its own brand marketing initiatives and in its multi-regional (25-office), interdisciplinary approach to account solicitation and management.”