MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKON Office Solutions (NYSE:IKN), the world’s largest independent channel for document management systems and services, today announced that it has appointed Jeffrey W. Hickling to the new role of President, IKON U.S., creating a new operating business unit that combines its U.S. sales and operations teams, and completes IKON’s evolution of its corporate structure to three operating business units – IKON U.S., IKON Canada and IKON Europe. As President, IKON U.S., Hickling will have responsibility for IKON’s sales, services and operations functions in the U.S.

“This new operating structure, with leadership for sales, services and operations at a geographic business unit level, will help us better align our operations teams with our sales and services teams, and help us continue to drive our growth and operational leverage strategies,” said Matthew J. Espe, IKON’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to this assignment, Hickling was Senior Vice President, Operations for IKON, responsible for IKON’s customer care centers and supply chain organization. Before joining IKON in 2005, Hickling held a number of management, operations, marketing and finance roles during a nearly thirty-year career at General Electric Company. Hickling holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, and is a graduate of GE’s executive development program.

In connection with the reorganization, Brian D. Edwards, IKON’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales and Services, has decided to leave IKON.

“Brian brought dedicated leadership to our company during his career. Under his direction, we’ve shaped our sales coverage strategies and implemented new products, programs and channels to capture market opportunities and increase our market share. He also provided strong oversight to the continued development of our services business. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in the future,” stated Espe.

About IKON

IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (www.ikon.com) is the world’s largest independent channel for document management systems and services, enabling customers worldwide to improve document workflow and increase efficiency. IKON integrates best-in-class copiers, printers and MFP technologies from leading manufacturers, such as Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, and HP, and document management software and systems from companies like Captaris, Kofax, EFI, eCopy and others, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions implemented and supported by its global services organization – IKON Enterprise Services. With fiscal year 2007 revenue of $4.2 billion, IKON has approximately 25,000 employees in over 400 locations throughout North America and Western Europe.

IKON Office Solutions® and IKON: Document Efficiency at Work® are trademarks of IKON Office Solutions, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.