REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV - News), the leading independent provider of software products and services for the communications industry, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jean-Yves Dexmier as chief financial officer. Jean-Yves replaces Harold (Hal) L. Covert, who has decided to leave Openwave for personal reasons. Dexmier will report to Openwave President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Vrij, effective immediately.

Jean-Yves Dexmier brings more than 28 years of financial and business management experience in the software industry, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at LookSmart, an online advertising and technology company. "Jean-Yves brings a wealth of financial management knowledge and experience to Openwave and I am pleased to announce his appointment today," said Robert Vrij, president and CEO, Openwave. "Jean-Yves' extensive financial and software industry expertise will be a key asset to the management team and we look forward to his financial leadership."

Vrij continued, "On behalf of our Board of Directors and the Company, I want to thank Hal for his years of service to Openwave. Hal has set a firm financial foundation for Openwave, bringing tighter financial controls to our business and ensuring strong corporate governance practices that will continue to be driven forward by Jean-Yves' leadership."

"I am energized by the opportunity to work with Robert in strengthening Openwave's strategic and financial processes, and bringing my international finance expertise to the business," said Dexmier.

Prior to joining Openwave, Dexmier has held the Chief Financial Officer position for several companies including Informix Software, a technology leader in enterprise database-powered solutions that was acquired by IBM; Octel Communications, the leading provider of voice messaging systems; and Thomson Consumer Electronics, maker of the RCA, GE and Proscan consumer electronics brands.

Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV)