Avalon promotes COO to CEO position

Avalon says it has promoted COO Jon Bates to lead the firm as CEO. He succeeds JP Midgley, who stepped down in April and now serves on the company’s board of directors as the firm’s corporate strategy director. (Photo credit: Avalon)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Avalon on Monday announced the promotion of COO Jon Bates to the role of CEO.

JP Midgley, who previously was Avalon CEO, stepped down from the position in April and will now serve on Avalon’s board of directors and as the company’s corporate strategy director, per the Monday announcement.

Syracuse–based Avalon offers technology-based services like digital forensics, cybersecurity, and eDiscovery, as well as document services, including printing and copying.

In his new role, Bates will lead all aspects of Avalon’s operations, particularly focusing on the company’s overall goals, growth, profit, and return on investment. More specifically, Bates will work with Avalon’s board of directors and top executives to establish short- and long-term objectives and provide regular reports on the status of Avalon’s operations to the board of directors and company staff.

“I am honored to begin this new chapter at Avalon and continue working with this incredible team toward delivering the highest-quality work-product for our clients, transforming the way they do business,” Bates, the new Avalon CEO, said. “From litigation support and eDiscovery services to our rapidly growing cybersecurity division, we’re here to provide critical business services that strengthen our clients’ capabilities and contribute to their success. We have exciting plans on the horizon and, together, we will achieve historic growth for our company and our clients.”

Avalon says it has regional offices in Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester, as well as Cleveland, Ohio; Tampa, Florida; Omaha, Nebraska; Detroit, Michigan; and Phoenix, Arizona.

Eric Reinhardt: