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Form 8-K

Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 2, 2007

NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

COMMISSION FILE: 000-31659

 

DELAWARE   86-0824673

(State or other jurisdiction or

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9645 Scranton Road, Suite 205

San Diego, CA 92121

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 812-3400

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

Effective August 2, 2007, the Board of Directors of Novatel Wireless, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Mr. Brad Weinert to the newly created position of President of the Company.

Mr. Weinert, 48, has served as acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 2006 and as its Chief Operating Officer since April 2006. Prior to that time, he served as the Company’s Vice President of Business Development since April 2003. From January 2002 to February 2003, he worked as Chief Operating Officer for Okbridge, Inc., an internet gaming and software company. From February 1998 to November 2001, Mr. Weinert worked for Novatel Wireless in both product management and strategic planning capacities.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit 99.1    Press Release dated August 2, 2007


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Date: August 2, 2007     By:   /s/ Catherine F. Ratcliffe
        Catherine F. Ratcliffe
        Senior V.P. Business Affairs and General Counsel
Press Release dated August 2,2007

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Novatel Wireless Appoints Brad Weinert President

Brad Weinert and Peter Leparulo to Continue Current Structure

Company Also Announces Two Promotions to Senior Vice President

SAN DIEGO, August 2, 2007 — Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL) today announced that Brad Weinert has been promoted to the position of President, ending the search for a new CEO. Mr. Weinert’s responsibilities are for the day-to-day management of the Company. Peter Leparulo will continue to serve as Executive Chairman, focusing on longer term strategic planning, growth initiatives, and key partnerships.

“As evidenced by our recent financial performance, Novatel Wireless is hitting on all cylinders,” said Peter Leparulo, Executive Chairman of Novatel Wireless. “Brad has a deep knowledge of the industry and the business as well as a keen understanding of our customers, and this promotion is well deserved. Moving forward, Brad will be focused on achieving the operational performance of the Company and managing day-to-day operations. I will concentrate on Novatel’s longer term corporate strategy, key partnerships and overall strategic direction. These roles have proven highly effective over the last nine months, and we believe they will continue to deliver results for customers, employees and shareholders.”

Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. Weinert was the Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer for Novatel Wireless and has been with the company for more than nine years. He brings more than 25 years of cross-functional experience in operations, business development, and engineering, with experience at several companies. He previously was responsible for product management and business development at Novatel Wireless.

“I look forward focusing on the substantial opportunities in our core business and to drive our operational results and industry leadership,” said Brad Weinert. “I believe my running day to day operations together with Peter’s setting corporate strategy will be a powerful leadership combination to drive the company’s future success.”

Additionally, the Company has promoted Catherine Ratcliffe to the position of Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel and Chris Ross


Novatel Wireless Appoints Weinert President    Pg. 2 of 2

to the position of Senior Vice President of Operations. “We are also extremely pleased to announce today Catherine’s and Chris’ promotions,” added Mr. Leparulo. “They have both played key roles in the success of the Company over the past year and we look forward to their future contributions.”

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is revolutionizing wireless communications. The company is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G WCDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless’ MerlinTM PC Cards and ExpressCards, Expedite® Embedded Modules, MobiLink™Communications Software Suite, Ovation™ Fixed Mobile Convergence Products and Conversa™ Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access. The company delivers innovative 3G solutions to operators, distributors and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.novatelwireless.com. (NVTLG)

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended to date. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, new product introductions, continued acceptance of Novatel Wireless’ products and dependence on intellectual property rights. These factors, as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Novatel Wireless’ filings with the United States.

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(C) 2007 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, MobiLink, Ovation and Conversa are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

Contacts:   Media   Investors
  Michael Kelly   Chris Danne, Mike Bishop
  Nadel Phelan   The Blueshirt Group
  (831) 440-2403   (415) 217-7722
  michael@nadelphelan.com   chris@blueshirtgroup.com
    mike@blueshirtgroup.com