In a surprise move, on April 21, Extreme Networks announced the abrupt resignation of its CEO, Chuck Berger.
I found out about the resignation not through a press release, but rather though a meeting change request. I had been scheduled to meet with Berger at the Interop conference in Las Vegas next week. I had met Berger at Interop 2014 and did a video interview with him that appeared here on Enterprise Networking Planet.
Berger became the CEO of Extreme Networks in April of 2013 and led the company through its $180 million acquisition of Enterasys, which was announced in September of 2013.
Extreme Networks has provided no additional details on the reasons behind Berger’s departure, though the timing aligns closely with the company’s upcoming third quarter financial results disclosure, currently scheduled for May 6. Extreme Networks released its preliminary third quarter results on April 9, with revenues tracking below the expected guidance. At the time of the preliminary results disclosure, Extreme Networks announced that Jeff White, who served as Extreme Networks’ Chief Revenue Officer, left the company as well.
“Mr. Berger has played a critical role at an important time in Extreme Networks’ history. Among his many contributions, he was instrumental in completing the Enterasys acquisition and recruited a world-class executive leadership team,” Mr. John Shoemaker, chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee of the Board, said in a statement. “The Extreme Networks board is grateful for all that Chuck has accomplished over the past two years and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Berger is being replaced by Extreme Networks Board Chairman Ed Meyercord, who will now serve as the company’s president and chief executive officer.
Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at Enterprise Networking Planet and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.