SimplyCast, a Dartmouth-based leader in marketing automation, has named Michael Brien as its new Board Chair, replacing J. William Ritchie, who will remain as a board member.

With clients in 175 countries, SimplyCast is a leading provider of interactive and multi-channel communication software for organizations around the world.

“Michael has been a member of SimplyCast’s board since 2015 and we are all very excited for him to transition to chairman,” said SimplyCast President and CEO Saeed El-Darahali in a statement. “Mike has been heavily involved in helping companies become strong and profitable and I am pleased to have his expertise leading our board.”

Brien is the CEO of Rockland Capital Ltd., an investment holding company. Previously, he was CEO and owner of Macdonald Chisholm Track Insurance, a leading insurance brokerage in Atlantic Canada, which he recently sold to a publicly traded company.

Outside his work, Brien has been President of Nova Scotia Insurance Brokers Association, CEO and Board member of Halifax Professional Basketball Club Inc. (Halifax Hurricanes), and Chair of the Atlantic Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Currently, he is Vice Chair of Nova Scotia Community College, and a board member Halifax Professional Basketball Club Inc.

“I have been an investor in SimplyCast since early on in its development and have watched with enthusiasm how Saeed and his team have developed a unique platform for growth and profitability,” said Brien in a statement. “I look forward to my new role and continuing to work with the SimplyCast team to help drive our strategy to scale our business model.”

El-Darahali also extended his thanks to Ritchie for his service as chairman.