Metaswitch announced that John Lazar, formerly President and COO of the company's
Carrier Division, has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer, taking
over executive responsibility for the entire company from founder Ian Ferguson,
who continues as Chairman.
In his new role, John Lazar will oversee the company's Network Protocols and Carrier
Divisions, while Phil McConnell and Graeme MacArthur, respectively, continue as
General Managers of the two divisions. Over the coming months, the company plans
to consolidate all its products and business operations, including the Network Protocols
Division, under the Metaswitch brand. Until that transition is complete, the network
protocols business will continue to operate as Metaswitch (DCL).
"It is an honor to lead the organization to which I have dedicated the last
22 years of my career. The opportunities ahead of us are truly exciting, and I am
indebted to Ian Ferguson for building the culture, management team and strategy
that have put us in such a strong position today," said John Lazar.
"We have recognized over the last year that the company needed a CEO with the
strategic vision, management capability, and stamina to see us into the next phase
of our growth," said Ian Ferguson, Chairman of the Board at Metaswitch. "We
were exceptionally fortunate to have that talent within our own management ranks,
and the entire Board unanimously agreed that John was right for this key executive
post."
John Lazar's career spans roles in engineering, support, sales, marketing, and general
management. He was a key member of the founding team that established the company's
carrier division in North America in 2000, and he serves today on the company's
Board. Prior to joining Metaswitch, he graduated from the University of Oxford,
where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar, with a Master's degree in computer science
and a doctorate in history.
Back to the May 2009 newsletter