California Amplifier
Completes Merger with Vytek
(12 April 2004) California
Amplifier Inc has completed the merger with Vytek Corporation. Vytek is a
provider of hardware and software solutions and services that enable wireless
and wireline access to information and media content.
Under the terms of the merger agreement California Amplifier issued
approximately 8.2 million shares of common stock to acquire Vytek, with a
purchase price valuation of approximately US$ 92 million.
California
Amplifier's existing Satellite business unit and the legacy products portion of
the existing Wireless Access business unit will be combined to form the new
Products Division. Patrick Hutchins, formerly California Amplifier's Vice
President of Operations, has been appointed President of the Products
Division.
The newly acquired business of Vytek will operate as the
California Amplifier's Solutions Division. Tracy Trent, formerly Chief
Operating Officer of Vytek, has been appointed President of the Solutions
Division.
Prior to his role as COO of Vytek, Mr. Trent served as CEO
of Stellcom, a leader in the development and deployment of mobile computing
technologies, services and solutions for enterprises and technology providers.
Stellcom was acquired by Vytek in April 2003. Mr. Trent also served in senior
executive roles from 1993 to 2000 at SAIC where he established and managed
several technology divisions including the Automotive Network Exchange (ANX)
and the Health Solutions organisation. Before joining SAIC, Mr. Trent held
business development roles at Digital Equipment Corporation and Sun
Microsystems. He holds a Master's degree in Management of Technology from MIT's
Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Hutchins joined California Amplifier
in 2001 and has played a key role in maintaining and building upon California
Amplifier's strong industry reputation as a world class supplier of RF-based
reception and transmission products. From 1997 until 2001, Mr. Hutchins served
in general management capacities with several units of Chloride Group PLC and
Genlyte Thomas LLC, most recently serving as the President and General Manager
of Chloride Systems, a division of Genlyte Thomas. He holds a Bachelors of
Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University
and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina
at Wilmington.
California Amplifier also announced today that Kris
Kelkar has tendered his resignation as Senior Vice President of Wireless Access
Products. Mr. Kelkar, who joined California Amplifier in 1995, will continue
his relationship with the Company on a consulting basis, exploring and
evaluating additional strategic growth opportunities.
California
Amplifier's Chief Financial Officer Rick Vitelle will continue to serve in that
capacity with the post-merger company. James Ousley, Vytek's former President
and CEO, is expected to join California Amplifier's Board of Directors before
the end of this month.
(source: California Amplifier)