Managing Board

Esker's executive officers define company vision, plan long-term strategies to realize this vision, and manage worldwide operations. Their ability to transform vision into reality is why Esker has continued to provide its customers with quality solutions — integrating emerging technologies with existing information systems.

	Jean-Michel Bérard Worldwide Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President of the Board of Directors Jean-Michel Bérard received his computer engineering degree in 1984 from the Lyon Institut National des Sciences Appliquées. Shortly thereafter he co-founded Esker. From the outset, Jean-Michel has been primarily responsible for product strategy, implementing development programs that respond quickly to changing technology trends and creating comprehensive, market-ready products. In his current role as President of the Board of Directors and Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Michel is responsible for defining and executing Esker's business plan. He also represents Esker to potential partners, the European technological community, IT analysts, and the trade press. Ernst & Young named Jean-Michel European Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and in 2002 he was named one of the Top Technology Visionaries by Start magazine.
	Emmanuel Olivier WW Chief Operating Officer As Worldwide Chief Operating Officer, Emmanuel Olivier leads Esker's operations worldwide, covering sales, marketing and consulting activities. He also supervises Esker's finances and is in charge of its financial communication and investor relations. Emmanuel joined Esker in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to his current role in 2003. Prior to joining Esker, he worked as an Audit Manager for Ernst & Young for seven years, including two years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). Emmanuel was awarded a Master's degree in Business Administration in 1991 from SKEMA Business School in Nice Sophia Antipolis, France, and earned a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) qualification from the state of Pennsylvania, USA.
	Jean-Jacques Bérard Executive Vice President, Research and Development Jean-Jacques Bérard is Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Esker. In this role he implements product strategy and oversees product planning and development.  Jean-Jacques joined Esker in 1995 as Project Leader for the SQL team and later moved to Research and Design (R&D) Manager in 1997. In 1998 he advanced to his current role.  Prior to Esker, Jean-Jacques was R&D team Manager at Arthur Andersen Consulting in Lyon.  Jean-Jacques received his engineering degree in 1988 from the Lyon Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, France.
	Steve Smith US Chief Operating Officer As US Chief Operating Officer at Esker, Steve Smith is responsible for all operations in North and Central America. Steve joined Esker in 2003 as the Director of Sales. Prior to Esker, Steve spent 17 years at Equitrac Corporation as the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and two years in sales at Pitney Bowes. In 1984 Steve earned a bachelor's degrees in Marketing and in Finance from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, USA.
	Eric Bussy WW Corporate Marketing and Product Management Director   As Worldwide Corporate Marketing and Product Management Director at Esker, Eric Bussy is responsible for the development of strategic products, services and solutions.  Eric joined Esker in 2002 as Director of Marketing Communications and in 2005 extended his responsibilities to include product management. Prior to Esker, Eric worked as Field Marketing Manager for two years at Seal’s and Cdtel in France and prior to that spent three years as an international Product Manager working on projects for France Air and Melink Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA).  Eric received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce IDRAC Lyon, France.
	Eric Thomas Vice President of Business Development Eric Thomas is Vice President of Worldwide Business Development at Esker.  In this role he actively participates in the successful launch of Esker’s SaaS offer – Esker on Demand and FlyDoc.  Eric joined Esker in 1997 as French Country Manager.  In 1998 he became Managing Director Southern Europe and in 2000 Business Development Manager, EMEA.  In 2004, as the Managing Director of FlyDoc, Eric managed the launch of Esker’s new product and in 2006 assumed his current responsibilities as VP of Business Development.   Eric began his career with France Telecom EGT in 1990 where he held various positions in sales and sales management.  Eric obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University, CBC Memphis, Tennessee, USA (1989).
	Renee Thomas Director of Field Marketing, Americas Renee Thomas is Director of Field Marketing, Americas at Esker. Her current responsibilities include lead generation strategies, lead qualification processes, customer development programs, customer service and press/analyst relations for the Americas. Renee joined Esker in 1998 and became the Director of Americas Field Marketing in 2001 after holding positions in Channel Sales and Marketing. Previous to Esker, Renee held a Corporate Communications role at Westinghouse where she was responsible for employee and management communications, events, PR, and collateral development for one of its divisions.  Renee graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Communications and in 2000 she received her MBA from the University of South Carolina, USA.
	Anne Grand-Clément WW Director of Professional Services and Technical Support . Anne Grand-Clément is the Worldwide Director of Professional Services and Technical Support at Esker.  She joined Esker in 2000 as Manager of the French Professional Services department. She later advanced to European Technical Support Manager and in 2001 was promoted to her current role.  Prior to joining Esker, Anne spent four years at Cincom as a Major Accounts Manager, and prior to that, spent five years as a Consultant at Arthur Andersen Consulting. Anne received her Master’s Degree in Computer Science Applied to Business Administration (MIAGE) in 1991 from the Université Claude Bernard, Lyon I, France.