Comtech Executive Chairman Kenneth Traub. Photo: Comtech

Comtech’s board of directors has elected Kenneth Traub as the executive chairman of the company. In the Nov. 27 announcement, Comtech said that Traub will be the senior executive leading Comtech. John Ratigan, who was named permanent CEO at the end of October, will report to Traub. 

Traub joined Comtech’s board one month ago as an independent director. He has experience as a CEO, chairman, director, investor, and consultant in public companies. Since 2019, Traub has served as the managing partner of consulting and investment advisory firm Delta Value Advisors. He was previously managing partner of Raging Capital and served as president and CEO of Ethos Management LLC. 

Mark Quinlan, the former leader of Comtech’s board, has stepped down from his role as chairman, but will continue serving on the board. When Traub joined the board last month, Quinlan said that Traub is “an expert in overseeing business transformations.” 

“I am thrilled to lead the Comtech team as executive chairman during this important time for the company,” Traub said. “I look forward to working closely with the board, management team, employees throughout the company as well as other stakeholders to help address lingering challenges and better position us to capitalize on significant value enhancement opportunities going forward.”

Comtech is currently working through a strategy to divest its 911 business and refocus as a pure-play satellite and space communications company. The company’s performance in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2024 was “below expectations,” down 15% year-over-year as balance sheet issues from earlier in the year impacted manufacturing and deliveries.  

Comtech has had a number of leadership changes over the past year. The company fired CEO Ken Peterman in March year and a half into his tenure as CEO. Ratigan led the company as interim CEO this year before being named permanent CEO. The company’s chief operating officer Maria Hedden resigned in September. In addition, Comtech recently appointed Daniel Gizinski as president of the company’s Satellite & Space Communications segment.