Dr. Sayed-Amr (Sisso) El-Hamamsy, Chief Operating Officer of the Company, has accepted the additional position of President.
Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, formerly Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has passed the role of President to Dr. El-Hamamsy, but will retain the responsibilities of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Steven Bellamy has resigned his position of Chief Financial Officer to pursue other opportunities. He will be available to assist the Company through a transition period.
Keith Bittner, CMA, Vice President, Finance of the Company, has agreed to assume the responsibilities of Acting Chief Financial Officer.
Frank King, a member of the Board of Directors, is appointed Independent Lead Director.
"I am very pleased that Sisso has accepted his appointment as President", said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wi-LAN Inc. "He has been a great asset to the Company as COO, as evidenced by the introduction of our new feature-enhanced cost-reduced products that are winning new customers and improving our cash flow. Sisso's additional appointment as President will make it easier for me to focus on the strategic direction of the Company."
"I am sad to see Steve leave, but I respect his decision and I am pleased that he has offered to assist us in adjusting to his departure," continued Dr. Zaghloul. "Keith is a Certified Management Accountant and he has been managing our finance department since he joined Wi-LAN in 1999. He should do an excellent job as Acting CFO, so I see no reason to seek a CFO in the foreseeable future."
"Frank King's appointment as Independent Lead Director will improve our corporate governance practices, providing further independence of the board from management," said Dr. Zaghloul.
Keith Bittner has 20 years of experience in financial operations, with strength in financial reporting, financial systems and cash management. Mr. Bittner is a Certified Management Accountant has held senior financial positions with several firms in various industries, including a publicly traded land developer, a publicly traded mobile computer solution provider, a property management and development company, and two integrated oil companies. Mr. Bittner will continue to work out of Wi-LAN's corporate headquarters in Calgary.
Dr. Zaghloul and Ken Wetherell, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, will continue to manage all outside investment advisor, investment banking and investor relationships.
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN is a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, specializing in products for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN) supporting both broadband data and voice. Wi-LAN's broadband wireless access products are known worldwide for their high quality and industry-leading technology. Wi-LAN believes its W-OFDM patent is necessary for the implementation of devices using the IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g or ETSI BRAN HiperLAN/2 standards as well as the current drafts of the IEEE802.16a and ETSI BRAN HiperMAN proposed standards. Wi-LAN licenses its W-OFDM technology and has executed non-exclusive W-OFDM license agreements with semiconductor companies. Wi-LAN is the Chair Company of the OFDM Forum (www.ofdm-forum.com). Wi-LAN's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WIN." Detailed information on Wi-LAN can be found at www.wilan.com. |