Wind Mobile named the former CEO of one of its rivals as its new leader on Monday.
The Canadian mobile operator appointed Alek Krstajic to the top job, replacing interim chief executive Pietro Cordova. Meanwhile, company founder Anthony Lacavera ceded the chairman role to Rob MacLellan and the company welcomed a handful of new directors to its board.
"[Krstajic’s] strong operating history will further strengthen Wind as the company solidifies its place in the Canadian wireless landscape," Lacavera said, in a statement.
"Since 2008 we have worked relentlessly to bring true competition to the C anadian wireless industry," he added. "Now, with new leadership and well over 800,000 happy customers, we begin an exciting new growth phase."
Krstajic most recently served as CEO of Public Mobile, another challenger in the Canadian mobile market that was bought by Telus in 2013.
He also founded the company at around the same time Lacavera created Wind. Both companies won spectrum in Canada’s 2008 auction and launched within a few months of each other in late 2009 and early 2010.
With the pair, and other spectrum winners, competing to gain a foothold in a market dominated by the big three network operators – Bell Canada, Telus and Rogers Wireless – Lacavera and Krstajic were rivals from the outset. According to the Globe and Mail, the rivalry extended to a long drawn-out court battle stemming from Public Mobile’s objection to Vimpelcom’s presence in Wind’s ownership structure.
However, the paper added that the two men now insist there was no personal animosity between them and that they had at various times discussed the possibility of merging their businesses.
Krstajic’s appointment at Wind suggests that to be the case.
His arrival enables Cordova to leave the interim CEO post and return to Vimpelcom. The Russian telco sold its stake in Wind to Lacavera’s Globalive Capital last year, leaving the latter with sole control.
"I would like to thank Pietro for his great contribution to Wind over the past three years. He has brought a steady and consistent hand to Wind, helping the company to continue growing during the very difficult period of the protracted Vimpelcom exit from its investment," said Lacavera.
Lacavera himself will give up his role as chairman of the Wind Mobile board, but will keep a hand in the business as honorary chairman.
Rob MacLellan, non-executive chairman of private equity firm Northleaf Capital Partners, will join the Wind board and take on the chairman role.
David R. Carey, EVP, corporate services at T-Mobile US, and Hamid Akhavan, principal, Telecom Ventures LLC, have also been elected to the board.
"The addition of such huge talents to Wind Mobile’s leadership team and board of directors further reinforces our position within the Canadian telecom landscape," said Lacavera. "This group brings with it a wealth of expertise, robust experience and strong knowledge in their respective industries and will prove to be extremely valuable to Wind Mobile as we continue to grow our presence in Canada."
