Marc DeBevoise Named OverDrive CEO as Founder Steve Potash Steps Into Chairman Role

OverDrive, the digital publishing giant that powers e-book and audiobook access for libraries and schools worldwide, is entering a new era. The company announced Tuesday that veteran media and technology executive Marc DeBevoise has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.

DeBevoise succeeds company founder Steve Potash, who is transitioning to Chairman of the Board after 40 years leading the organization.

The leadership change represents a carefully planned succession strategy designed to scale OverDrive's digital platform and accelerate its international footprint. Potash, who founded the company four decades ago, successfully guided OverDrive from the early days of digital content experimentation into a global infrastructure mainstay. Today, the platform serves educational and public institutions in more than 115 countries.

DeBevoise is well-equipped for the expansion push, bringing a heavyweight corporate resume to the chief executive suite. Before joining OverDrive as President, where he worked directly alongside Potash to map out the company's future, DeBevoise served as the CEO of Brightcove, Chief Digital Officer of Paramount, and CEO of CBS Interactive.

The transition has earned strong backing from OverDrive’s primary institutional investors. Richard Sarnoff, Chairman of Media for KKR Americas Private Equity, emphasized that DeBevoise’s operational experience makes him the right fit for the company's next chapter.

"Steve built an extraordinary organization — a mission-driven company with true global impact — and Marc is the ideal leader to write its next chapter," Sarnoff said. "Marc's vision, energy, and operational depth give us every confidence that his leadership will not only augment its success as a business but also heighten its outstanding record of service."

For Potash, the move marks a significant personal milestone, though not an exit from the company he built from scratch.

"Founding and building OverDrive has been the most rewarding journey of my career," Potash said, adding that the company is uniquely positioned for evolution. As Chairman, Potash intends to maintain an active role in supporting DeBevoise's executive team while continuing to champion the libraries and schools at the core of OverDrive's mission.

Moving forward, DeBevoise’s mandate will focus on expanding global content access, growing the platform’s infrastructure, and capturing a broader audience of digital readers and learners.

"OverDrive has extraordinary reach, incredible momentum, and an enduring mission — and I’m thrilled to lead this company forward," DeBevoise said.