Sayther chosen as CEO of FEI. (People).

Colleen Sayther, an FEI member with long experience in accounting issues, has been named the new president and chief executive of FEI, succeeding Philip B. Livingston. She is expected to take office April 1.

Sayther's selection came after a six-month search by FEI's Board following Livingston's announcement that he planned to return to the corporate world after four years as president. Sayther has 19 years of public accounting and corporate financial management experience.

"We're very pleased that Ms. Sayther has accepted the President and CEO position at FEI," said FET Board Chairman Ridge A. Braunschweig, executive vice president and CFO of Orion Corp. in Milwaukee. "She's a smart, seasoned professional, with a solid understanding of the corporate governance, ethical and financial reporting issues facing our members today."

"It's an exciting time to take the reins of this organization," said Sayther. "I'm honored to have been selected for this important role. FEI, under Phil Livingston's illustrious tenure, was at the forefront in dealing with the challenges facing the accounting industry today and calling for changes where changes were needed. I will continue this activist role, reflecting the needs and concerns of our 15,000-strong membership of CFOs and other senior financial officers, who represent companies in virtually every industry and every region of our country, as well as in nations around the world."

Sayther began her career in public accounting, then spent 13 years with AT&T Corp., initially as the Assistant Controller for AT&T Capital during a period of enormous growth, and later as Vice President and Chief Accountant at the corporate level. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and CFO for the North American operations of Havas Advertising, the fifth largest advertising holding company in the world.

While at Havas, Sayther was responsible for all SEC reporting and worldwide accounting policies, as well as establishing and staffing the company's North American headquarters. Her public accounting positions were held at the firms formerly known as Touche Ross and Coopers & Lybrand.

Sayther earned her BA in Economics from Rutgers University, where she was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the Honor Society in Economics, and her MBA from New York University's Stem School of Business. She is a Certified Public Accountant and is listed in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.