Cradlepoint, a Boise, Idaho-based wireless and cellular solutions manufacturer, has replaced its founder, Pat Sewall, as CEO. His successor is Venture capitalist George Mulhern, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
Prior to his appointment to a position of leadership, Mulhern was a general partner with Highway 12 Ventures, a VC firm that invested in Cradlepoint. He also has 25 years of experience with Hewlett Packard where he worked with the LaserJet Printing Global Business Unitas a Senior Vice President.
“George was an obvious choice to lead CradlePoint given his track record of guiding successful technology enterprise teams at HP and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit with a variety of startups at Highway 12,” said Gerry Langeler, CradlePoint’s board director. “His vast experience combined with his passion for the CradlePoint business are integral to the role and his collaborative, approachable leadership style will be welcomed by employees, customers, partners and investors.”
Mulhern is very active in the Idaho technology community. He serves on the McKinsey and Co. Consulting Group Advisory Board for their technology practice as well as the Idaho Governor Science and Technology Advisory Council. He also serves as a Guest lecturer at Boise State University.
Sewall will remain in a leadership position as Chief Technology Officer, the company said in a news release. Sewall also worked in HP’s LaserJet division, and before starting up Cradlepoint, founded RidgeRun, a software company which embedded Linux solutions for the cellular phone and consumer electronics markets. It is unclear why Sewall has stepped down as CEO, a position he has retained since he founded the company in 2004.
