Leica USA President Roger Horn Retires

Roger Horn has been a good friend of LHSA for decades and as a parting token of appreciation, we are pleased and proud to award him an Honorary Lifetime Membership in LHSA. Below is a letter from Roger.

Dear Leica Family,

Photographer Robert Frank famously said, “There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.” I couldn’t agree more. My life with Leica is filled with snapshots of the people, places and experiences that have fostered community, serving the humanity of moments that are forever etched in my Leica journey.

With this, it is a bittersweet moment to say farewell to all of you as I step away from my position as the President of Leica Camera North America and enter retirement.

After spending over 46 years of my career with Leica Camera, the company and you – its devoted, passionate community – have become an integral piece of my life, and not one I say goodbye to easily. However, I take solace in knowing it is only a “farewell” to my official position, and I will take much pleasure as a member of this incredible Leica community. I look forward to following the success of Leica and continuing to see all the impactful, creative photographs captured and shared by all of you.

From my very first role as Cost Accountant in 1974, to my final role as President, I have seen Leica Camera grow, evolve and innovate on immeasurable levels. It has truly been an honor to play a part in all of it alongside my talented colleagues. It is with great confidence I hand over the reins to Mike Giannattasio, who has been working alongside me for the past several months to immerse himself in the Leica brand and understand what it truly means to be a part of this community. I am excited to see what new heights he helps this wonderful brand achieve.

I have had the great fortune of building a life here at Leica Camera with incomparable experiences and amazing colleagues who have become lifelong friends. I cannot wait to watch this unstoppable company continue to grow and innovate, this time from the other side of the lens.

Thank you for the memories, for being part of my Leica story.

All my best,
Roger