Sony Electronics Inc. recently announced that Neal Manowitz, deputy president of imaging products and solutions for Sony Electronics North America, will be promoted to president and chief operating officer for Sony Electronics Inc North America. At the same time, Mike Fasulo, who has led Sony’s Electronics operations in North America for the past seven years will be retiring, after serving 37 years with the company.

The leadership change will take place on April 1, 2021.

Neal Manowitz has 25 years of experience with Sony, and has been responsible for Sony’s imaging and professional businesses that serve a wide variety of markets. Prior to that, he held numerous leadership positions throughout the company, including heading up the Home Audio and Video business group. He was named “40 under 40” by Dealerscope Magazine and holds 35 patents with 40 more in progress.

“Throughout his extensive career at Sony Electronics, Mike has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication, culminating in the strategic turnaround of our electronics business in North America, and the achievement of record results. Through his uncompromising focus on creating unique and compelling customer experiences, he has contributed greatly to Sony’s Purpose to ’fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology,” says Kenichiro Yoshida, chairman, president and CEO, Sony Corporation. “He has also maintained an unwavering commitment to serving the community and society. I want to thank Mike for his strength, passion and exceptional stewardship of Sony Electronics over many years.”

“Neal’s 25 years of service to Sony have been defined by his remarkable performance, and I am confident that with his strong background in technology, and expertise in engaging closely with customers, he will further contribute to enhancing Sony’s value in the North American market as a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology,” adds Yoshida.

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“I am thrilled to be placed at the helm of Sony Electronics,” says Manowitz. “This month will mark my 25th anniversary with Sony and I am honored and humbled to be asked to step forward and lead the best team in the industry. I am thankful for the leadership and guidance Mike has provided me and to the entire North American team. We will continue to lead innovation for all of Sony, listening to our customers, while striving to maintain Sony as the best place to work.”

“Neal has a distinguished track record of innovation, people development, and a deep knowledge of Sony. I have had the privilege and honor to work alongside Neal for decades and I can say with complete confidence that he is the right person to lead the Sony Electronics North American operation, our largest market, toward the future,” says Fasulo, retiring president & COO.

“Additionally, his compassion for others and his focus on an inclusive learning environment, diversity and the betterment of society, fits perfectly with Sony’s global purpose and values. His proven track record of leading and posting significant results make him the ideal successor at Sony Electronics.”

Fasulo Calls it a Career After Decades with Sony

Fasulo joined the company in 1984 as a financial analyst and held several leadership positions in the company, including executive vice president sales, US chief marketing officer, president and CEO, E-Solutions, LLC (an e-commerce startup with seed funding from Sony Corporation) and president, media solutions company before being named president and COO of Sony Electronics in 2014.

As president & COO, Mike oversaw Sony Electronics’ multi-billion-dollar business across North America, leading a strategic transformation and dramatic cultural change that resulted in a successful turnaround. Since 2015, Sony Electronics Inc. North America has been recognized as a best place to work over 49 times by 25 entities.

“It has been a true pleasure to have spent the last 37 years with Sony,” says Fasulo. “Through hard work and determination, we were able to achieve significant contributions to Sony and this great industry. I am a firm believer in building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. I have been dedicated to sustaining a culture that is engaging, open and transparent while addressing real societal issues, such as diversity, social justice and corporate social responsibility. As a result, Sony Electronics’ business in North America is in great financial shape with a very strong leadership team and an extremely talented pool of employees.”

After leaving Sony, Fasulo will continue to serve as a trustee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and as immediate past chairman of the executive board of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).