Cable and wireless infrastructure vendor CommScope announced that Eddie Edwards, previously head of the wireless network solutions unit, will assume the role of president and chief operating officer of CommScope, effective Jan. 1.
Edwards, 60, will take over for Brian Garrett, who will retire later in 2010 after 30 years with the company. In the interim Garrett will serve as advisor on several special projects for CommScope.
Edwards joined CommScope in 2001. Most recently he has been executive vice president and general manager, Wireless Network Solutions, which he has held since the acquisition of Andrew Corp. in 2007. In addition, he has been serving as CommScope's executive vice president of business development since 2005.
"Eddie is an accomplished leader with an extensive track record of success," CommScope CEO Frank Drendel said in a statement. "He is the perfect choice to continue Brian's great work and drive CommScope to the next level through profitable growth, innovation and quality."
In addition to Edwards' appointment, CommScope announced it will restructure its global management organization. Three CommScope managers have been named to expanded global leadership roles in the new organization structure, effective Jan. 1, reporting to Edwards:
•Randy Crenshaw, currently executive vice president and general manager, Enterprise Solutions, will become executive vice president and chief supply officer, with global responsibility for manufacturing, planning, sourcing and logistics;
•Ted Hally, currently executive vice president and general manager, Antenna, Cable and Cabinet Group, will become executive vice president and chief commercial officer, with global responsibility for all sales, marketing, research and development, product development and product management; and
•Bob Suffern, currently senior vice president and general manager, RF Power Amplifiers, will become senior vice president and chief technology officer, responsible for the company's overall technology development and direction.
"With the Andrew acquisition and merger integration efforts largely behind us, we have strengthened our company and are prepared for new growth opportunities," Edwards said in a statement. "I believe these changes will position CommScope well for the many opportunities ahead and help us support our customers around the world with higher levels of innovation, quality and service."
CommScope, based in Hickory, N.C., manufactures and sells coaxial cable, hybrid fiber coax components and. The company has 13,000 employees.
