Genband CEO Quits, Joins Harris Broadcast

Genband CEO Charlie Vogt is leaving the networking vendor to take over the Chief Executive spot at Harris Broadcast, a manufacturer of TV and radio broadcast systems.

Vogt will be replacing Harris Morris as President and CEO of Harris Broadcast, part of The Gores Group, effective immediately. David Walsh, Genband's current executive chairman, will fill Genband's CEO slot in addition to his duties as chairman and president.

During his tenure at Genband, Vogt was known for both his uncanny resemblance to Rob Lowe, as well as his penchant for acquisitions. He closed six M&A deals during his nine years, including Tekelec SSG, NextPoint Networks and Nortel's VoIP business. (See Genband Bids $282M for Nortel's VoIP Unit and Genband Scores NextPoint.)

He's also got a reputation for being tough and driven, necessary qualities given that the 25-year industry veteran was charged with transforming Genband and expanding its focus more than once. He's leaving the company with a compound annual growth rate of 100 percent, as well as Samsung Galaxy Notes in every employee's pocket. (See The New Genband: Day One.)

Harris Broadcast serves the radio and TV broadcasting industry, which is grappling with moving from running a digital business to one based entirely on IP. Vogt is no stranger to the IP transition, having served a customer base of more than 700 enterprises, communication service providers and cable companies looking to do the same.

At the company's recent analyst and media event, Vogt and crew emphasized Genband's own transition from a gear maker to a software company, know-how he'll bring to Harris. (See Genband Goes IP and Genband Goes Virtual at (Actual) Show.)

The former Genband man, one of Light Reading's top 10 movers and shakers in 2010, has also served as chairman of two companies, a board member of five, as well as a board member of the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Council and the Dallas Metroplex Technology Business Council.

When he's not in the boardroom, Vogt enjoys baseball (he played Division I NCAA baseball at SLU) and rocking out on the tambourine.

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Editor, Light Reading