NETGEAR Appoints Technology Leader Charles (CJ) Prober as New CEO
NETGEAR®, Inc., a global networking company that delivers
innovative networking and internet connected products to consumers and
businesses, today announced that Patrick C.S. Lo, current Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the board, is retiring from his position at NETGEAR and
from the company’s Board. Lo will remain as a strategic advisor to support a
seamless leadership transition through July 2024. The Board has appointed
Charles (CJ) Prober, a senior technology executive, to succeed him effective
immediately. Prober is also joining NETGEAR’s Board of Directors.
“As co-founder of NETGEAR, and leader for nearly three decades,
it goes without saying that Patrick Lo’s impact on the company is undeniable.
His vision for delivering the future of connectivity through advanced
networking products and solutions has shaped who we are as a company, and we
celebrate all he has accomplished,” said Thomas H. Waechter, NETGEAR Lead
Independent Director. “CJ has the full confidence of the Board. We look forward
to working with him and the NETGEAR leadership team to take the company forward
for its next phase of innovation.”
“When Mark Merrill and I founded NETGEAR 28 years ago, the
internet was beginning to show its impact on the world,” said Lo. “We seized the
opportunity, and we’ve been innovating and leading the industry in the creation
of advanced networking technologies for homes and businesses around the world
ever since. We’ve pushed the boundaries of what can be experienced in a
connected world, and I am all for the next chapter of the NETGEAR story.”
Prober to Succeed Lo
The appointment of Prober follows a thorough search process over
the last 12 months, conducted by the NETGEAR Board, with the goal of appointing
a next-generation leader with extensive consumer electronics, software and
subscription experience. Prober has the unanimous support of the Board and
meets all the criteria that are critical to NETGEAR’s future success in
distinguishing itself as a high-performing leader in the consumer and business
networking industry.
Prober is a seasoned and successful business leader who has
focused on driving growth, transformation and innovation in his past roles,
with decades of expertise in building cutting edge consumer experiences for
devices and digital platforms. His experience spans leadership positions at top
consumer and technology brands, including roles as President of Life360, CEO at
Tile (acquired by Life360), Chief Operating Officer at GoPro, and SVP of
Digital Publishing at Electronic Arts (EA). Prior to his operating roles,
Prober served as a consultant with McKinsey & Company where he helped to
guide some of the world’s leading B2B technology companies.
He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Life360 and
Glorious Gaming. Past accomplishments include driving subscription and revenue
growth at Life360, Tile and GoPro. Additionally, he was central to EA’s
transformation from a packaged software to digital services company that
unlocked significant shareholder value over his years at the company. His
extensive experience in managing large teams and complex global businesses
demonstrates his ability to deliver value to customers, investors, and
employees.
“As an innovator and pioneer, NETGEAR is an admired and
respected brand by both consumers and businesses at a time when connectivity
matters more than ever,” said CJ Prober, NETGEAR CEO. “I have built my career
on delivering innovative and industry-leading products and services and am
proud to join the NETGEAR team to continue this path and to create value for
all stakeholders, continuing the company’s strong focus on innovation in the
industry. The path forward is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to
partnering with the Board, our partners and NETGEAR’s global employee base.”
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