Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech”) has promoted Mark Toppenberg and Jeff Harig, each to Co-President of Comtech’s Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., plus the promotion of Mark Schmeichel to President of the firm's Santa Clara, California-based subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc. and the appointment of Michael Plourde as Comtech’s Vice President Global Engineering and Programs.
These changes are intended to strengthen the leadership and drive long-term revenue growth of Comtech’s satellite Earth station solution product lines.
Jeff Harig has been with Comtech EF Data Corp. since 1994 and most recently was Senior Vice President of Government Systems since 2015. Mr. Harig holds a MSEE degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a BSEE from Michigan Technological University.
Mark Toppenberg has been with Comtech EF Data Corp. since 1997 and most recently, in 2015, was Senior Vice President of Global Sales. Mr. Toppenberg holds a BSBA degree from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.
Mark Schmeichel has been with Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc. since 2014 and held the title of Senior Vice President and General Manager. Mr. Schmeichel holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Illinois University.
Michael Plourde has 30 years of experience in the satellite ground station systems industry. Most recently, Mr. Plourde was a member of Globecomm Systems’ executive leadership team, responsible for the global engineering and operations functions of that company. Mr. Plourde holds a BSEE from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts.
In connection with these changes, the Company is also announcing that John Branscum, Senior Vice President of Comtech, will be leaving the Company effectively April 8, 2020. The Company wishes John well and thanks him for his contributions over the years.
In commenting on these changes, Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp., said that Mark Toppenberg, Jeff Harig and Mark Schmeichel have all been terrific contributors to the firm's business for many years. Their promotions express the company's strong confidence in their abilities to capitalize on long-term market dynamics shaping the satellite industry. The company is also pleased to welcome Mr. Plourde to the Company. Mike is a well-known and highly-regarded leader in the satellite Earth station field and will work with all of the company's subsidiaries on important strategic initiatives to help grow Comtech’s business with both commercial and government customers.
