John Suh has been promoted to CEO and president of Panavision, the venerable camera and lens manufacturer for the entertainment industry. Suh joined the Woodland Hills-based company in 2007 as chief financial officer and transitioned into broader operational roles. He was later named as chief operating officer. The promotion is the fourth change in leadership at Panavision in two years. In March 2009, long-time CEO Bob Beitcher left the company. Beitcher’s replacement Billy Campbell resigned after less than three months. Bill Bevins, a director of M & F Worldwide Corp., a division of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., the owner of Panavision, replaced Campbell. Bevins will now serve as the chairman of the Panavision board and work with Suh to complete the company’s long-term objectives of next-generation products and other important strategic initiatives. As chief executive, Suh said his focus will be keeping Panavision a technology leader. “Panavision has a tremendous legacy within the entertainment industry for leadership in the design and manufacture of optics and cameras systems, as well as being a best-in-class service provider to the global production community,” Suh said. “I am excited about Panavision’s future as we move closer to the introduction of a portfolio of innovative new products.”
