Imax CEO Rich Gelfond has taken a temporary medical leave of absence while he gets treated for pneumonia.
In a press release, the movie tech firm said the exec is “receiving outstanding care and progressing in his recovery.”
During his leave, Gelfond will not take part in public or private events – a change of pace for the exec, who is a fixture on the social circuit. The release noted that the company is making the leave public in order to “provide transparency and ensure that there is no speculation arising out of Mr. Gelfond not appearing at the company’s upcoming events.”
The announcement comes two weeks prior to CinemaCon in Las Vegas, a movie industry confab where Imax (and Gelfond) have had an increasing profile in recent years as the company’s large-format auditoriums and cameras play a bigger role in blockbuster releases.
Gelfond, 70, joined Imax in 1994, after his firm, Cheviot Capital Advisors, bought the company. He was co-chairman until becoming CEO in 2009.
In revealing Gelfond’s diagnosis, the company said members of its senior management team are “executing their day-to-day responsibilities in coordination with each other and Board Chairman Darren Throop, with regular communication with the full board of directors.” The roster of executive officers includes CFO Natasha Fernandes, Chief Marketing Officer Anne Globe, Chief Legal Officer Rob Lister, and Imax Theatres President. Mark Welton.
Imax said it would not offer further comment. “out of respect for Mr. Gelfond’s privacy as he is being treated,” promising to provide updates “as appropriate.”
In a statement, Throop said Imax has “a strong, deeply experienced senior executive team who are fully engaged, providing regular updates to the board, and remain focused as always on the continued growth and success of Imax. We are all wishing Rich well and a full and speedy recovery.”
Imax CEO Rich Gelfond On Temporary Medical Leave With Pneumonia
