In a statement released yesterday, the manufacturer said: “The Xerox family is profoundly saddened by this untimely event and extends its heartfelt condolences to John’s wife, his five daughters and his family.
“Since joining Xerox in May 2018, John was a visionary leader who navigated the company through unprecedented times and challenges. Well-known and respected throughout the industry, his strategy ensured Xerox’s leadership position in office and production print technology and expanded the company into helping solve secular challenges with innovative solutions.
“John was passionate about his workforce and an inclusive leader known for his ‘One Boat, One Team’ call to action and mentality.”
James Nelson, chairman of Xerox’s board of directors, paid tribute: “Since joining the company in May 2018, John drove Xerox forward.
“As a champion for innovation, he embraced and enhanced Xerox’s legacy as a print and services provider and embarked on a transformative journey that broadened the company’s expertise and offerings to digital and IT services, financial services, and disruptive technologies.
“John’s drive, energy and commitment to the business and its customers, partners and employees will be greatly missed.”
Steve Bandrowczak, Xerox’s president and chief operations officer since 2018, will serve as interim CEO. He currently develops and executes the global operations strategy for Xerox, the company’s business support functions, including business strategy, product and service delivery and information technology, as well as the company’s newly formed Software and Innovation businesses.
“We are all greatly saddened by this tragic news and are keeping his family at the forefront of our thoughts in this difficult time,” said Bandrowczak.
“John’s vision was clear, and the Xerox team will continue fulfilling it – not only to deliver on our commitments to our shareholders, customers and partners – but also to pursue John’s legacy.”
Scores of Visentin’s colleagues and industry friends have also paid tribute in the hours since the news was announced.
Caroline Gransee, who served as director of corporate communications at Xerox until December 2021, said: “Yesterday we lost a great leader, John Visentin. What made John great? There are many reasons. He was a visionary who wasn’t afraid to chart new waters – no matter how choppy they were.
“But the greatest thing about him was his belief in people. John challenged people to stretch beyond what they thought was even possible. This is luckily something I experienced first-hand starting early on in my career. He gave me chances that no one else would. He believed in me. He was my champion. He was my mentor. And I wasn’t an anomaly.”
Jerome Allaire, vice president of Public Sector and Large Enterprise at Xerox Canada, commented underneath Gransee’s post: “Very well said. We lose today a very inspiring leader, challenging individuals for the unique purpose of making them think and grow.
“His first words when the pandemic started, despite its impacts on the business, were for the employees, his top priority remained employees’ physical and psychologic wellness. A good man.”
Visentin replaced former Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson in May 2018 after Jacobson and six other members of the Xerox board resigned.
His background included executive roles at HP and venture capital firm Apollo Global Management. He had worked for activist investor Carl Icahn’s firm Icahn Enterprises as a senior consultant in the months before Icahn and fellow investor Darwin Deason successfully campaigned against Fujifilm's proposed takeover of Xerox, which resulted in Visentin becoming Xerox CEO.
