Jeff Clarke is the chief executive officer of Avaya, a global enterprise technology company that helps organizations manage customer communications and experiences.
Appointed on August 3, 2026, Clarke brings more than three decades of executive experience across enterprise software, travel technology, manufacturing, and business transformation. His previous leadership roles include CEO of Insurity, Doxim, Travelport, and Eastman Kodak, along with senior positions at Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer, and CA Technologies.
At Avaya, Clarke takes responsibility for guiding a company focused on enterprise communications, customer experience, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in business interactions. His experience leading complex organizations through operational and strategic change is central to his new role.
Who Is Jeff Clarke?
Jeffrey J. Clarke is an American business executive known for leading technology companies through periods of change, repositioning, and growth. His career spans enterprise software, IT infrastructure, online travel distribution, insurance technology, and digital customer communications.
Clarke became Avaya's CEO in August 2026, succeeding Patrick Dennis, who transitioned to executive chair. The appointment brought an experienced technology operator into a business serving large enterprises and government organizations with communications and customer experience solutions.
Clarke's leadership background combines financial management, global operations, software business strategy, and executive oversight. This mix has shaped his career across companies with different customers and business models.
Career and Professional Background
Early Career in Technology and Operations
Clarke developed his executive experience through senior roles in technology and business operations. At Compaq Computer, he served as chief financial officer. He later became executive vice president of global operations at Hewlett-Packard, followed by a leadership role at CA Technologies, where he served as chief operating officer.
These positions gave him experience with financial planning, international operations, manufacturing, and the challenges of running large technology businesses. They also provided a foundation for his later CEO appointments.
Leading Travelport and Orbitz
Clarke became CEO of Travelport in 2006. The company operated technology and distribution services connecting travel suppliers with agencies and other travel sellers.
During his tenure, Clarke oversaw the company's business structure and strategic development, including the evolution of its travel distribution operations. He also served as chairman of Orbitz Worldwide, which completed its initial public offering in 2007. His time in travel technology gave him experience managing interconnected platforms, global customers, and complex commercial relationships.
Clarke later returned to Travelport as chairman and continued his involvement with the travel technology sector through board service.
CEO of Eastman Kodak
In 2014, Clarke became CEO of Eastman Kodak, taking the helm of a company working to establish a sustainable business following major financial and structural changes.
Kodak's history in photography and imaging gave it a well-known brand, but its business faced significant changes in technology and customer demand. During Clarke's tenure, the company continued to develop commercial imaging and printing opportunities while managing its legacy operations and financial priorities.
He remained CEO until 2019. His time at Kodak added experience in corporate restructuring, industrial operations, and managing a business with a long history during a period of technological change.
Leadership at Doxim and Insurity
After Kodak, Clarke continued working with businesses undergoing strategic and operational transitions.
He served as executive chairman and interim CEO of Doxim, a provider of customer communications management and engagement software for regulated industries. Doxim's products help organizations deliver documents, payments, and other communications across digital and traditional channels. Clarke's interim leadership role began in 2022.
Clarke subsequently became CEO of Insurity, a provider of cloud-based software for the insurance industry. In June 2026, Insurity appointed Jatin Atre as CEO, with Clarke continuing as executive chairman before moving to Avaya. This experience gave Clarke direct exposure to enterprise software delivered through cloud platforms and to the use of AI and analytics in specialized industries.
Jeff Clarke at Avaya: Leading the Next Chapter
Avaya provides enterprise communications and customer experience technology to large organizations and government agencies. Its solutions support the interactions businesses have with customers across contact centers and other communication channels.
Clarke's appointment comes as enterprises continue to modernize customer service, connect communications systems, and explore how AI can improve service delivery. Avaya has been developing its enterprise customer experience offering and advancing products that incorporate AI-assisted insight and human-AI collaboration.
Clarke has emphasized the importance of innovation that responds to customer needs. In his announcement as CEO, he pointed to the value of helping organizations build lasting customer relationships and expressed his intention to work with Avaya's team to strengthen the company's position in enterprise communications.
His priorities include advancing Avaya's growth strategy, strengthening customer relationships, and maintaining operational execution. His background in software, global operations, and business transformation is relevant to these goals, although the results of his Avaya leadership will depend on the company's execution and market conditions.
Leadership Approach and Business Philosophy
Clarke's career suggests a leadership approach built around operational discipline, customer focus, and adapting established businesses to changing markets.
Several themes stand out from his professional history:
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Operational execution: His experience at Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and CA Technologies involved finance, global operations, and complex organizational responsibilities.
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Business transformation: His CEO roles at Travelport, Kodak, Doxim, and Insurity placed him in businesses navigating strategic or market changes.
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Customer-centered innovation: Clarke has highlighted the need for technology companies to develop products and services around evolving customer requirements.
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Enterprise technology experience: His work across software, travel distribution, insurance technology, and communications gives him a broad view of how organizations use technology to serve customers and manage operations.
These experiences provide context for his leadership at Avaya. The challenge now is to translate that background into sustained product innovation, strong customer relationships, and business performance in a competitive enterprise communications market.
Education and Board Experience
Clarke earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the State University of New York at Geneseo and an MBA from Northeastern University. He has also served as a trustee of Northeastern University.
His board experience includes technology and software companies such as Autodesk, Red Hat, Compuware, Docker, and Orbitz Worldwide. He has also served on the boards of businesses in other sectors, including travel and life sciences. These roles have broadened his experience in governance, corporate strategy, and executive oversight.
Key Facts About Jeff Clarke
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jeffrey J. Clarke |
| Current role | Chief Executive Officer of Avaya |
| Appointed CEO | August 3, 2026 |
| Industry | Enterprise software and technology |
| Previous CEO roles | Insurity, Doxim, Travelport, Eastman Kodak |
| Other senior roles | CA Technologies, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer |
| Education | BA in Economics, SUNY Geneseo; MBA, Northeastern University |
| Board experience | Autodesk, Red Hat, Compuware, Docker, Orbitz Worldwide, and others |
Why Jeff Clarke Matters in Enterprise Technology
Jeff Clarke's appointment gives Avaya a CEO with experience across multiple technology markets and organizations at different stages of transformation. His background spans enterprise software, IT operations, customer communications, and global technology businesses.
For Avaya, the opportunity is to build on its position in enterprise communications while meeting customer demand for more integrated, intelligent, and adaptable customer experiences. Clarke's experience provides a foundation for that work, but the company's next chapter will be measured by how effectively it converts strategy into customer value and sustainable performance.
About Avaya
Avaya is an enterprise technology company that provides communications and customer experience solutions to businesses and government organizations. Its products help organizations connect with customers and employees across communication channels, with an emphasis on enterprise-grade capabilities and evolving digital experiences.
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