Comtech Telecommunications has announced that its Board of Directors has named Ken Traub as President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing John Ratigan effective immediately. Mr. Traub joined the Comtech Board on October 31, 2024 and became Executive Chairman on November 27, 2024.
Mr. Traub is leading a comprehensive transformation of Comtech. Some highlights of this transformation include:
Operational Discipline and Rightsizing. Comtech is taking decisive action to improve processes, streamline product lines, optimize staffing and sharpen its organizational focus. These actions are expected to result in significant cost savings and working capital efficiencies, particularly in the Company’s Satellite & Space Communications (“S&S”) segment, and position Comtech to generate sustainable positive cash flow.
Support and Grow Successful Business Units. The Company’s Terrestrial & Wireless Networks (“T&W”) segment is poised for continued strong growth, driven by the need for nontraditional methods to request emergency help from new devices and the segment’s new initiatives in public safety technologies. The growth of the Company’s carrier business will be supported by its latest cloud-agnostic 5G passive and emergency location, messaging and alerting services. In the S&S segment, Comtech is strong in designing, manufacturing and supporting sophisticated communications equipment for both defense and commercial users that rely on the Company to provide mission-critical communications infrastructure. Comtech will prudently invest in and support these successful businesses and capitalize on opportunities to build and monetize these valuable assets.
Strategic Alternatives Process. The Comtech Board, under Mr. Traub’s leadership, will conduct a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives and explore a range of potential transactions to enhance Comtech’s strategic focus and strengthen the Company’s balance sheet. This process is a broadening of the previously announced review of strategic alternatives for the T&W segment and will include various alternatives for the S&S segment.
Strengthening the Capital Structure. Comtech had available liquidity of approximately $30 million of cash and equivalents as of both October 31, 2024 and January 10, 2025. The Company is positioned to generate positive cash flow over the coming months through implementation of the initiatives described above and will consider opportunities to strengthen its capital structure.
Mr. Traub commented, “While Comtech’s recent historical performance has been unsatisfactory, the Company has great assets, including its people, technologies, reputation, customers and relationships. Since I joined the Company as Executive Chairman about six weeks ago, I have learned a lot, which gives me confidence that we can overcome the challenges and create new opportunities to strengthen the business and drive value. We are implementing a comprehensive set of initiatives to better position Comtech for the future including improving operational discipline, streamlining operations, supporting profitable growth initiatives, undertaking a broad review of strategic alternatives and strengthening the capital structure. I am honored to expand my role as President and CEO today, and look forward to leading the Company into a stronger and brighter future.”
“The Board is fully supportive of Ken’s leadership and committed to his strategy that will deliver immediate and necessary improvements for Comtech,” said former Army Chief Information Officer, Lieutenant General (Retired) Bruce T. Crawford, Lead Independent Director of the Comtech Board.
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