Apogen leader takes leave

Bobby Savoie, vice chairman of information technology services firm Apogen Technologies Inc., is no longer with the company.

Savoie, who had been chief executive officer of Science and Engineering Associates (SEA) Inc. before it merged with ITS Services Inc. to become Apogen, took an indefinite leave of absence and may resign from the company, according to an article in a New Orleans newspaper, The Times-Picayune. SEA, now part of Apogen, is based in New Orleans.

The company has recently been in the spotlight because of allegations by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that it improperly hired nurses under an IT contract with the Energy Department and is moving too slowly on processing employees' medical claims. SEA held the contract and brought it into the combined company.

A spokesman said Savoie's departure is not connected to Grassley's concerns, which company officials previously denied had any merit. However, the spokesman declined to comment further. According to the newspaper's account, Savoie stepped down over a difference of opinion on business strategies.

Dan Oliver, president of Apogen's national security sector, will take over the New Orleans operation, said Phillip Odeen, chairman of the board.

New Orleans and the McLean, Va., offices of ITS Services are co-headquarters for the company.