eCornell has decided that its future success requires a smaller, focused organization to specialize in sales and service to corporations and individuals seeking online professional training from Cornell University.

Christopher Proulx, current chief operating officer and a veteran of the corporate learning industry, will lead the new strategic plan as chief executive officer. Current CEO John Neuman will continue to serve as senior advisor to assist the company in developing its corporate professional services and relationships.

"Chris has been integral in the evolution of eCornell from strictly a course development firm to a provider of industry-leading learning solutions and services," Neuman said.

The realignment will also involve a streamlining of the eCornell staff in an effort to make operations more efficient. As part of its new emphasis, eCornell will enable clients to design and build new online curricula using its patent-pending model for online learning delivered through eCornell's learning portal.

Proulx has been with eCornell since Sept. 1, 2001. Prior to joining eCornell, he developed online corporate learning solutions for Fortune 500 clients, both as founder of The Open Road, a firm specializing in strategic web-based portals for executives, and as director of projects at Knowledge Impact in Southborough, Mass. He graduated from Cornell in 1991.

Recently eCornell completed development of 55 instructor-led online courses and nine certificate programs in management, human resources and hospitality. It will continue to build and manage strategic marketing and distribution partnerships for its current product line and for future online offerings from Cornell.

eCornell, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cornell University, is a developer and marketer of online professional education courses. eCornell has the most comprehensive online, professional and executive development curriculum offered by any top-20 university in the United States and provides online and blended learning solutions in more than 80 countries and to more than 100 corporate clients.