Kikuo Urayama and Harry Aida.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J.—Charmant USA has announced that Kikuo Urayama will be the new president and CEO of the company as of Feb. 1, 2015, upon the retirement of current president and CEO, Harry Aida. Additionally, Charmant USA has announced the retirement of vice president of finance, Bill Ferraro.

“I am ready and enthused to take on this new role as president for the U.S. office,” said Uraryama. “My experience over the last several years has fully prepared me to take on this exciting new challenge. I look forward to implementing new approaches, while taking care to respect and nurture our current relationships and business approaches.”

Urayama joined Charmant Group as managing director of Charmant U.K. in 1994. After working in the U.K. for two years, he held the position of vice president of the U.S. office from 1996-2000. In 2000, he transferred to Charmant Italia as vice president, and in 2007, moved back to Japan to become the general manager of the international business division and chief auditor of the internal audit department. He most recently held the position of chief operating officer of the western business division, which includes Europe and the Americas, a role that put him in prime position to take over as president of the U.S. office, according to the company.


Bill Ferraro.

Aida joined Charmant in 1998 as senior executive director and COO of the International Sales Division. He transferred to Charmant USA in 2002 as executive vice president and was promoted to president and CEO in January 2005. Upon his retirement, Aida will return home to Japan where his wife, sons, and grandchildren live.

Bill Ferraro, vice president of finance for Charmant USA will also retire at the end of January. He joined Charmant in 1994 as senior accounting manager, in 1996 he was promoted to director of finance, and in 2004, was promoted to vice president of finance and administration.

“I am sad to leave the company that has become my second home,” added Ferraro, “but I am looking forward to enjoying retirement. I have no doubt Charmant USA is in good hands with Mr. Urayama.”