Ushio Inc., parent company of Christie, announced the promotion of Michael Phipps to president and chief executive officer of Christie Digital Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries, effective April 1. He succeeds Takabumi Asahi, who held the role for two years and will continue as chief executive officer of Ushio Group, Inc.

Phipps joined Christie in 2008 and most recently served as president and chief operating officer, a role he assumed in 2024. He was previously appointed chief financial officer in 2019. In his new position, he will oversee Christie’s global operations across its cinema and professional AV businesses.

“Over the past two years, Mike successfully implemented operational initiatives and drove improvements in our product offerings and processes to better serve our customers and markets. His leadership was instrumental in the company’s transformation, and his passion for our cinema and ProAV industries will lead the organization well into the future,” said Takabumi Asahi, CEO, Ushio Group, Inc.

Phipps said the company will continue focusing on customer collaboration as the AV industry evolves.

“The industry is constantly changing, but what stays at the heart of what we do is our customers. We listen to their business challenges and work collaboratively to support their vision, so they can rely on our technology to create unforgettable experiences. I want to thank Mr. Asahi for his guidance over the past two years and look forward to continuing to work with our customers and employees in my new capacity,” said Phipps.

Phipps’ promotion follows a period of operational changes and product development initiatives at Christie. Ushio said the leadership transition is intended to support continued growth across cinema and professional AV markets while maintaining alignment with the broader Ushio Group strategy.