Source: GeoworksALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1998--Geoworks (NASDAQ/NMS:GWRX - news), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, said today that it has promoted David A. Thatcher, vice president and chief financial officer, to president.
Gordon Mayer, chairman and chief executive officer, will continue in his current positions.
Thatcher, who joined the company in March, 1997, will retain his chief financial officer responsibilities. He has also been named a director of the company.
"In the past year, David has made a great many contributions to Geoworks as we have refined our strategic direction and focus of the company," Mayer said. "He has implemented a number of successful operational, administrative and financial controls, played a key role in maintaining our existing partnerships and developing new ones and successfully managed the company's executive staff."
"The management team and our board felt that this was an opportune time to recognize David's contributions and give him additional involvement in the future direction of the company," he added.
"Under Gordon's leadership, Geoworks has become the preeminent developer of operating systems for smart phones and other mobile communications devices," Thatcher said.
"The company," he continued, "has successful products in the marketplace and is partnered with industry leaders. While the markets we are addressing are still emerging, we believe the company has an enviable position in the market when it comes to our relationships with device manufacturers, cellular operators and developers of wireless services and content."
Thatcher said the company will continue to focus on expanding OEM relationships and working with partners to deliver leading products and solutions to the marketplace. "At the same time, we need to ensure that our management team, strategies and systems are facilitating our drive towards predictable revenues and profitability."
Thatcher, 43, joined Geoworks from Diba, Inc., a software provider for consumer electronics manufacturers, where he was chief financial officer and vice president, finance and administration. Before that, he held a similar position in addition to operating responsibilities with the McKinley Group, Inc., an Internet service provider which was acquired by Excite, Inc. He was also chief financial officer at Peregrine Systems, Inc., a developer of help desk software solutions, and Pacific Data Products, a manufacturer of laser printer accessories.
Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks Corporation is a leading software provider for the cellular industry and manufacturers of mobile communication devices, including smart phones. The company has licensed its GEOS(R) and GEOS(R)-SC(tm) operating systems to leading manufacturers, such as Nokia, Mitsubishi, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company [NYSE:HWP - news], Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the company is working with content and service providers and international cellular operators.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the company's plans to expand its OEM relationships, and the company's revenue and profitability goals. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties, including the following: there can be no assurance that the Company will secure new OEM relationships or expand its existing relationships; the Company is dependent upon the actions of its customers concerning the development and release of their products, there can be no assurance that the Company's licensees will commercialize such products or that the Company will derive revenues therefrom, and to date, the company has incurred significant losses, has had substantial negative cash flows and has realized limited revenues. The company expects to continue to incur substantial operating losses at least through the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the company's Form 10-K, 10-Q and other filings available from the company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For additional information on Geoworks, the GEOS and GEOS-SC operating systems and Wireless Content and Services, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com