Tekelec has promoted a former Lucent Technologies executive as its new CEO.
Ron de Lange joined the Morrisville-based telecommunications technology company in 2005 and has been "the primary architect of the company's product strategy." He replaces interim CEO Krish Prabhu, who took the job in January after Frank Plastina abruptly resigned after 5 years as CEO.
De Lange, 52, takes over as Tekelec goes through a key transition. The company, which makes software and other technology used by mobile-phone carriers, has seen sales slow and is shifting its focus to the next generation of wireless networks that carry more data and video.
Revenue for first quarter was $107.8 million, down 7 percent from a year earlier. Tekelec also reported a first-quarter loss of $16 million.
Last month, Tekelec laid off about 50 people at its Morrisville headquarters as part of a broader restructuring to cut costs.
Tekelec employs about 1,250 people worldwide, including about 625 in the Triangle.
Also last month, Tekelec named Hubert de Pesquidoux, who has been a board member since 2009, as its new chairman. He previously was an executive with Alcatel-Lucent.
Tekelec's shares rose 10 cents on Tuesday to close at $9.10.
De Lange will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 as CEO, Tekelec reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. He'll also receive the equivalent of 175,000 shares in restricted stock that vest over the next four years.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or