Pacific Office Automation (POA), the office equipment dealer based in Portland, has appointed Michael McHenry, the company’s Vice President for Arizona, as interim Chief Executive.
The decision follows the abrupt leave of absence taken by Doug Pitassi, the former CEO, amid allegations of sexual assault.
McHenry, who has been with POA since 1997, steps into the leadership role during a turbulent period, as the company seeks to stabilise operations and reassure stakeholders.
His appointment comes in response to a civil lawsuit filed in federal court last month, accusing Pitassi of sexual assault. The lawsuit alleges that the incident occurred in September at a business function, involving a sales representative. Although no criminal charges have been filed, the lawsuit claims the company attempted to cover up the incident.
McHenry’s promotion indicates a swift effort to mitigate the impact of the allegations on business operations, while POA conducts an internal investigation.
The company’s board has not disclosed the duration of McHenry’s interim appointment or provided further details about Pitassi’s status.
The original story can be found on OregonLive here.
