Reynolds and Reynolds and UCS Complete Deal

Now that Universal Computer Systems Inc.’s $2.8 billion acquisition of The Reynolds and Reynolds Co. is complete, questions regarding leadership of the combined companies have been answered.

The new company will continue to be named The Reynolds and Reynolds Company and now is the No. 1 provider of management software to automotive dealers.

When the proposed acquisition was announced in August, Reynolds and UCS officials said Reynolds’ President and CEO Fin O’Neill would be CEO of the new company once the deal was signed.

Instead, the company announced this week O’Neill will be vice chairman, office of the CEO, for the merged company. Robert Brockman, founder and CEO of UCS, will serve as chairman, office of the CEO.

O’Neill, who took the helm at Reynolds 20 months ago, says he will lead the integration of the two companies while making sure customers’ concerns are reflected in Reynolds' policies and procedures, as well as in products and services.

Brockman, meanwhile, said in an e-mail statement in August he envisioned his role as an advisor in product development but would be “further defined” once the acquisition was completed.

However, the company says in a press release this week that Brockman will concentrate on leveraging the research and development capabilities of the combined companies, while familiarizing himself with day-to-day operational details.

Products and services of both Reynolds and UCS will be marketed under the Reynolds brand. Reynolds will continue to have headquarters and principal operations in Dayton, OH.

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