SAS Appoints Gavin Day as New Chief Operating Officer to Lead Growth Initiatives
SAS, a renowned leader in data analytics and artificial intelligence, has made a significant announcement regarding leadership changes within the company. On May 1, 2025, SAS appointed Gavin Day as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic move comes at a pivotal time, as SAS prepares to expand its operations and adapt to the challenges posed by the evolving technology landscape.
In his new role, Day will oversee multiple crucial areas including global sales — encompassing both direct and partner channels — finance, consulting, and the innovative Public Readiness initiative spearheading SAS's transformation into a public company. The need for effective leadership is underscored by SAS CEO Jim Goodnight's comments highlighting Day’s capabilities. Jim praised Day's extensive background and experience, suggesting that this alignment in the revenue-generating processes will significantly enhance their capacity to serve customers effectively.
Before his promotion to COO, Gavin Day held the title of Executive Vice President, focusing on leading pivotal global divisions while also ensuring the company's preparedness for a public offering. His visionary approach has led to the improvement of various internal systems and processes, enabling SAS to navigate its upcoming challenges more efficiently. This change is viewed as an essential step for SAS as it gears up for its next phase, with Day's insights and leadership expected to play a central role in driving the company's growth.
Reflecting on his new position, Day expressed gratitude towards Dr. Goodnight and the confidence placed in him. He emphasized the importance of SAS’s established foundation and mentioned his commitment to executing a future-forward strategic vision. His prior roles within SAS are notable; he has a well-rounded career spanning 25 years involving responsibilities in both research and development as well as sales. Day has notably served as SAS’s Senior Vice President of Technology, where he was instrumental in shaping the technology direction of SAS. Additionally, he previously managed US Commercial Sales, guiding various operational teams towards success.
Gavin Day's distinguished career prior to SAS at DataFlux, a leading data management software provider acquired by SAS, further solidifies his expertise in the field. Throughout his career, Day has been recognized as a change agent, adept in building relationships with key technology and channel partners globally. This characteristic trait is expected to serve him well in his new role, as SAS looks to bolster its partnerships while delivering superior value to clients.
In a landscape where data-driven decision-making is paramount, SAS aims to leverage its technology and tailor solutions for various industries, ultimately aiding organizations in converting data into actionable insights. This leadership transition reflects SAS's commitment to innovation and reinforces its mission of being a trusted partner in analytics. With the expectation of Day's leadership, SAS is poised to navigate the upcoming marketplace dynamics efficiently. As the global emphasis on data continues to rise, all eyes will be on Gavin Day and his leadership team as they look to elevate SAS to new heights in the field of AI and data analytics.
SAS's dedication to empowering organizations with the requisite tools to thrive in a data-centric world remains unwavering. This executive change not only sets the stage for SAS to achieve its immediate goals but also strengthens its vision for the future, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability as it heads towards becoming a publicly traded entity. The upcoming chapters in SAS's narrative will surely be exciting, and its leadership under Gavin Day will play a vital role in shaping what lies ahead.