Bill Whitehead, chief operating officer of Bates North America since last December, has been named president and chief operating officer of Bates USA.

Whitehead replaces Frank Assumma, who has quit to take another job.

Whitehead was chairman and chief executive officer of Bates Canada before moving to New York City in 1994 as executive vice-president of worldwide client services for Bates Worldwide, and regional director of Latin America.

He joined Bates in 1971.