Sharp VP Retires After 33 Years

Sharp Electronics Corporation today announced that, following more than 33 years at the company, Corporate Vice President David Alai is retiring, effective July 3, 2013.

Alai began his career at Sharp in 1979 as director of human resources and quickly expanded his responsibilities to include pension and 401(k) plans, payroll, corporate facilities management, purchasing and community relations. Alai is currently a member of Sharp’s management committee and has also guided corporate communications and corporate marketing over the course of his career.

Alai’s leadership helped Sharp firmly establish the brand’s presence in the United States. He played a key role in opening Sharp’s factory in Memphis, Tenn., and in 1986 was involved with creating a joint venture between Sharp and RCA that ultimately became Sharp Microelectronics of America. In 1995, Alai helped start Sharp Laboratories of America.

"I am honored to have spent nearly 34 years with this great company and am very proud of what my Sharp colleagues around the world have accomplished together for the consumer electronics industry as a whole,” said Alai.

In addition, Alai’s community relations initiatives have helped Sharp become a highly respected corporate citizen. During his tenure, he championed many charitable causes and donations, including the Center for Food Action and the Red Cross, for the Japan tsunami and local victims of Superstorm Sandy. Alai’s personal and professional record of community leadership was recognized by a Joint Legislative Resolution from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly.

Alai serves as a member of the board of directors of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), where he also holds the post of chairman of the strategic planning committee. He received a Distinguished Citizens award from the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors in 2009 for his commitment to advancing higher education. The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Alai with the Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2012.

Succeeding Alai, the company has promoted Susan Osgood to vice president of corporate human resources, effective July 8, 2013. Osgood will assume responsibility for the HR function, which encompasses payroll, benefits (including employee health insurance), training and employee communications. Osgood joined Sharp in 2002 as the manager of corporate compensation and has continuously taken on additional responsibilities within the human resources function. In her new role, Osgood will also serve as a member of the management committee.

Corporate communications and community relations will now be led by Mark Viken, vice president brand marketing.

The above was submitted by Sharp Electronics.