- After almost eight consecutive years in the position
- Praise and thanks for Pattabiraman
- Mariam Sorond taking over
- Pattabiraman said 109 words
(exechange) — Mclean, Virginia, November 30, 2023 — Ganesh Pattabiraman, chief executive of NextNav, leaves his position. As announced by NextNav Inc. in a news release and in a regulatory filing published on Thursday, November 30, 2023, Ganesh Pattabiraman has left his post as chief executive officer at the specialist in GPS and 3D geolocation, after almost eight consecutive years in the role, effective November 29, 2023.
Generally speaking, it raises questions when a CEO leaves his post abruptly.
Ganesh Pattabiraman’s duties as CEO will be taken over by Mariam Sorond, most recently Chief Technology Officer of the Service Provider and Edge Business Unit at VMware.
The fact that Ganesh Pattabiraman’s successor is brought in from outside suggests that the board may seek to stimulate change with fresh ideas and new initiatives.
In general, an outsider does not have the constraints of an insider when it comes to leading painful changes or making unpopular decisions.
“To spend more time with family”
The management change is explained as follows. NextNav stated: “Ganesh Pattabiraman, NextNav’s Co-Founder and current CEO made the personal decision to step down from his role as CEO and member of the Board of Directors at NextNav to spend more time with family.”
Precise information regarding Ganesh Pattabiraman’s future plans was not immediately available.
“Resigned”
NextNav said: “Ganesh Pattabiraman has resigned as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, effective as of November 29, 2023.”
“Not due to any disagreement”
NextNav stated, regarding the change: “Mr. Pattabiraman’s resignation from the Board was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.”
Share price decline since November 2021
The announcement follows a decline in NextNav Inc.’s share price of 68% since November 2021.
In the position of CEO since 2016
Pattabiraman plans to remain as a senior advisor to the Company for two years.
Ganesh Pattabiraman has served as a director and as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2021.
Pattabiraman is the co-founder of former NextNav and served as its president from October 2007 to October 2021.
Pattabiraman served as the Chief Executive Officer of former NextNav from October 2007 to June 2011, and then again from January 2016 until October 2021.
Pattabiraman served as a director on former NextNav’s board from December 2007 to October 2021.
Prior to former NextNav, Pattabiraman worked as the Product Manager of Qualcomm, Inc.’s location-based service products from 1997 to 2006.
Qualcomm, Inc. is a multinational corporation that creates semiconductors, software and services related to wireless technology.
Over his twenty-plus year career, Pattabiraman has led various initiatives in launching terrestrial, satellite-based (GPS and LEO) and proximity-based location systems into mass market devices — including GPS and sensor based technologies.
Pattabiraman currently holds ten issued patents.
Pattabiraman received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University.
109 words by Ganesh Pattabiraman
In the release announcing his departure as CEO of NextNav Inc., Ganesh Pattabiraman received praise and thanks.
In announcing his departure, Ganesh Pattabiraman said 109 words.
“This is the right time”
Ganesh Pattabiraman stated: “Sixteen years ago, we had a vision for the next generation of GPS. With the roll out and adoption of the Pinnacle service nationwide for E911 and Public Safety, and recent steps by the Federal Government towards enabling resilient PNT in national critical infrastructure, I believe we are not only realizing that vision, but positioning NextNav as a global leader in next generation resilient PNT. With the Company on strong foundational footing and a clear growth strategy in place, I feel confident this is the right time to hand over leadership to such an impressive and experienced executive as Mariam, while continuing to support the Company’s key strategic initiatives.”
Push-out Score for Ganesh Pattabiraman’s move determined
The Push-out Score indicates on a scale of 0 to 10 how likely it is that Ganesh Pattabiraman was pushed out or felt pressure to leave his position.
exechange reached out to NextNav and offered the company the opportunity to comment on the score.
Read the full story in the exechange report 49.2023 ($).