Westlake-based ECI Software Solutions is going back to the future.

Ron Books, ECI’s CEO from 2009 to 2021, will take over Oct. 26 for Trevor Gruenewald, who is retiring as CEO but will remain on ECI’s board of directors. The company offers AI-powered, cloud-based business management software and services.

During Gruenewald’s tenure, ECI expanded across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. He oversaw more than 25 acquisitions and boosted investments in cloud and AI technology. 

Gruenewald said leading ECI has been one of the greatest privileges of his career.

“ECI is in a position of tremendous strength, with the right strategy, people and technology designed to help small and midsized businesses compete and grow,” Gruenewald said in a statement. “As I considered what was right for both my family and ECI’s next chapter, it felt like the right time to make this transition.”

Building on ECI’s momentum

ECI board member Usama Cortas, a partner at private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners, welcomed Books back to the team.

“Ron led ECI through its formative years and knows its customers, people and markets deeply,” Cortas said in a statement.

Books “will build on ECI’s momentum and continue to accelerate its growth in this next chapter,” Cortas said.

ECI board member Jason Wright, a partner at private equity firm Apax Partners, also supported Books’ return.

“Apax backed Ron in 2017 to lead a transformation of the company,” Wright said in a statement. “He tripled the size of the business and led ECI’s transition to the cloud. Now he is poised to lead ECI to become the global leader in AI-powered ERP and business management software for small and midsized businesses.”

Apax Partners and Leonard Green & Partners hold controlling stakes in ECI.

Books’ longtime ties to ECI

Since stepping down as CEO, Books has stayed connected with ECI as a special adviser to the board.

Most recently, Books was CEO of Net Health, a Pittsburgh-based AI-native platform for clinicians in wound care, skilled nursing, rehab therapy and occupational health. He will stay aboard as executive chairman.

“ECI has been an important part of my life for nearly three decades, and I couldn’t be more excited to return as CEO,” Books said. “Trevor has done an exceptional job leading ECI through a period of tremendous growth and transformation, and I’m grateful for the foundation he and the team have built.”

As CEO, Books will continue to champion ECI’s current strategy and investment priorities, focusing on providing AI-powered, cloud-based software to help small and midsize businesses compete with larger rivals, the company said.

Books first arrived at ECI in 1999, the year it was founded as OfficeSupplies.com. The company later pivoted to business management software and ERP, or enterprise resource planning. Before becoming CEO, Books was chief operations officer, senior vice president of operations and vice president of sales.

More on ECI

In the past two years, ECI has launched new products and services, including a suite for automated accounts receivable and accounts payable, and an embedded AI agent for ecommerce.

In addition, it has made several acquisitions, including Amper Technologies, Avid Ratings and Khameleon Software.

ECI has more than 25,000 customers in 90 countries. In addition to its Westlake headquarters, the company maintains offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Australia.