ECi Software Solutions, provider of industry-specific information technology solutions, announced that Grant Howe has been named Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Howe will be responsible for product/technology strategy and execution across the ECi family of companies. He will lead strategic initiatives addressing ECi's next generation product offerings, common technologies and platforms, and development processes and standards.

“It’s exciting to be part of the ECi team and to support the entrepreneurial spirit of independent business owners,” said Howe. “I am looking forward to offering a growing variety of products and services that help them compete effectively in today’s market. I am always intrigued and challenged by the technology development that goes on behind the scenes but, at the end of the day, it’s the customer-facing benefits of improved efficiency, growth and profitability that truly bring value.”

Howe brings more than 21 years of product development and management experience to ECi. He has served as a senior technology executive in the areas of research, development and engineering with companies such as Abila, Sage Group, LLC, CareFlash.com, and NetIQ. During his tenures at those companies, he built domestic and international engineering teams, drove structured and agile software development, managed product suite planning and direction, and helped define, develop and deliver mobile and cloud-based products. Howe holds a master’s degree in Software Engineering from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from State University of New York College at Oswego.

“We are very excited to have Grant on the team,” said Ron Books, President and CEO of ECi. “His wealth of knowledge in research and development and his success at building winning teams will help fuel the continual development of our solutions. Grant understands that the customer comes first and this is the philosophy that drives the decisions we make at ECi every day. Our ultimate goal is to provide services and tools to our customers that result in their continued growth and profitability.”