Completing its search for a permanent chief executive officer, Eclipsys Corp. has named a top officer at another technology company to head its operations.

The Boca Raton-based health care software and service firm said R. Andrew Eckert is its new president and CEO.

Since January 2002, Eckert has been CEO at SumTotal Systems. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company sells learning and business performance technologies and services.

Under Eckert's leadership, Eclipsys (NASDAQ: ECLP) said SumTotal (NASDAQ: SUMT) grew its revenue to an expected $100 million this year, from $27 million in 2002.

The officer is to begin working with Eclipsys immediately and is to assume the president and CEO titles from Eugene V. Fife, Nov. 14.

Fife, who is to continue as Eclipsys chairman, said Eckert has an extensive background in both health care and enterprise software.

"He has an outstanding track record of operational and fiscal management that will help Eclipsys capitalize on the attractive opportunities in the fast-growing health care information technology marketplace," Fife said.

As chairman, Fife said he will work with Eckert and the rest of the Eclipsys management team to strengthen the firm's position in the industry.

Fife has been Eclipsys chairman since January 2003 and a director since 1997.

He was appointed to the additional roles of interim president and CEO in April.

New leader, new stock deal

Saying it wanted to align its new leader's interests with those of its stockholders, Eclipsys said Eckert's compensation package includes 150,000 restricted shares of Eclipsys common stock and non-qualified options to purchase up to 525,000 shares of Eclipsys common stock.

The restricted stock has a purchase price of a penny a share, is subject to contractual restrictions on transfer until vested, and vests over five years. The first 20 percent vests Dec. 1, 2006, and Eclipsys said an additional 10 percent vests each June 1 and Dec. 1 for the following four years.

The stock options have a 10-year term, an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of Eclipsys common stock on the date of grant and vest over five years. The company said the first 20 percent vests Dec. 1, 2006, and the remaining 80 percent vest in 48 equal, consecutive monthly installments thereafter.

Eclipsys shares closed down 6 cents to $16.50. The 52-week high was $20.95 on Dec. 29. The 52-week low was $11.21 on May 2.