Melville, NY—Among the Canon USA 2024 executive appointments is a new leader at the helm. Isao “Sammy” Kobayashi was promoted to the position of president and CEO of Canon USA effective January 1, 2024.
Most recently, Kobayashi served as the president and chief executive officer of Canon Canada Inc. Moreover, he succeeds Kazuto “Kevin” Ogawa, who will return to Japan for a new assignment following five years of service at Canon USA. Ogawa was the company’s president and CEO since April 2020.
“I am honored to take on this role as president and CEO of Canon USA Inc. and will do my best to continue the hard work of our employees, customers, channel partners, and other stakeholders that have made this company so successful,” said Isao “Sammy” Kobayashi. “I thank Mr. Ogawa for leading Canon USA through a period of great uncertainty and for his unwavering support. Further, I fondly remember my time at Canon USA and look forward to returning and starting this new career chapter.”
Canon USA 2024 Executive Appointments: New President/CEO
Kobayashi began his career with Canon Inc. in 1990 in the photocopier sales division. He progressed to assistant manager in the Canon USA inkjet printer group in 2005. Additionally, after several promotions, he became a vice president in the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group in 2020, overseeing the company’s consumer imaging products.
What’s more, in 2021 Kobayashi was chosen to serve as vice president and general manager of the new Hybrid-workplace Solutions Group (HSG). This group was formed to address the increased demand for products as well as solutions needed for the hybrid workstyles that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Then in April 2022, he was promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Canon USA. He was also appointed an executive officer of Canon Inc., a title he still holds. Finally, in January 2023, Kobayashi was named president and CEO of Canon Canada, where he served for one year.
Other Appointments
In addition, Mikio Takagi succeeds Kobayashi as president and CEO of Canon Canada. He is moving from the head position at Canon Mexicana and Canon Panama, a post he held since 2018.
Furthermore, Akira Ikeda will serve as president and CEO of Canon Mexicana and Canon Panama following his role as vice president of Canon Mexicana. Shohei Hizawa was also promoted to president and CEO of Canon do Brasil.
