Merkle (www.merkle.com), a leading customer relationship marketing (CRM) firm and the nation’s largest privately-held agency, announces its appointment of Robert N. Frerichs to its board of directors. A veteran in management consulting and technology, Mr. Frerichs recently retired after 35 years with Accenture.  He also retired as the Chairman of the Avanade board and is currently the executive chairman of Aricent Group.

His executive-level posts at Accenture included group chief executive, where he maintained overall responsibility for the company’s North American operations; chief risk officer, responsible for managing Accenture’s overall business risk; and chief operating officer of the company’s Communication & High Tech operating group. Other positions within that group included global managing partner of the Electronics & High Tech operating group and managing partner of the US Aerospace & Defense operating unit. He also served as managing partner of the Asia Pacific operating units for the Products and Resources operating groups. Frerichs was instrumental in the creation of Avanade, a technology company formed by Accenture with Microsoft.

Frerichs is a certified public accountant and a certified manufacturing fellow. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Illinois.

“We are proud to have Bob join Merkle’s board,” said David Williams, chairman of the board and CEO of Merkle. “Having served in executive positions over 35 years as Accenture scaled to become a major technology and consulting powerhouse, he is uniquely qualified to help steer Merkle’s course toward reaching our own lofty goals. Bob’s exceptional track record of leadership, combined with a passion for innovation, brings just the kind of forward-thinking guidance that will make a meaningful contribution to our company’s administration.”

Frerichs said, “I see in Merkle the kind of drive and passion that propelled Accenture to prominence in the technology and consulting space. Many of the challenges and opportunities facing Merkle today are 21st century parallels of what we faced at Accenture.  I am excited about the opportunity to help Merkle and to work closely with its management team.”