ECRM Mourns Loss of CEO Charlie Bowlus

Charlie Bowlus, CEO of Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM), a Solon, Ohio-based provider of industry events and business solutions developed to integrate process, vision and technology, has died. Bowlus and his son Mitch, who is the company’s president, founded ECRM in 1994.

Before founding the company, Charlie Bowlus worked in the retail industry as a buyer and wholesaler for several chains, including Target, Cook-United and Boston Distributors Inc. He is survived by his wife and three other children in addition to Mitch.

In a letter to the ECRM family of employees, Mitch Bowlus explained that his father developed complications following emergency surgery several weeks ago. The complications ultimately took his life.

“My father would not want us to mourn his death,” Mitch Bowlus said. “Rather, he would want us to celebrate his tremendous life and further his passion and vision for improving the way companies do business.

“His courage, determination, humility and his love of life have undoubtedly touched all of our lives,” he added. “We are all blessed to work for a company that has been shaped by the will, leadership and vision of my father. These qualities epitomize what we will continue to stand for in the future.”