| • | | The company currently anticipates that it will achieve sequential revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2019 over the level expected in the third quarter |
(+) | Please refer to the note below on forward-looking statements and the risks involved with such statements as well as the note onnon-GAAP financial measures. |
Company Update
Election of Eric Singer to the Board of Directors, effective immediately
The Board of Directors welcomes Eric Singer, Founder and Managing Member of VIEX Capital Advisors, to the Board. In addition to a long track record as a successful investor in technology companies, Singer has substantial experience serving on public boards and in assisting them in creating and expanding shareholder value. Singer is currently a director of Quantum Corporation and previously served on the boards of directors of Numerex Corp., YuMe, Inc., Support.com, Meru Networks, PLX Technology, Inc., and Sigma Designs, Inc., among other companies.
Singer joins the Board in connection with the company’s entry into a letter agreement with VIEX Capital Advisors and its affiliates, in which the company has agreed to fix the size of the Board at six and renominate Singer and Tor R. Braham for election at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to the agreement, VIEX Capital Advisors has also been granted the right to identify, and A10 Networks will appoint within 15 days thereafter, an additional director to the Board, with Phillip J. Salsbury agreeing to resign from the Board in such event.
Formation of Strategy Committee of the Board and review of Strategic Alternatives
As part of the election of Singer, the company has formed a Strategy Committee, which consists of Singer, existing director Peter Chung and existing director Tor Braham. The Strategy Committee is tasked and empowered with overseeing and executing specific activities directed to increasing shareholder value. In furtherance of these activities, the company has retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch to advise the company and the Board on strategic matters, including a near term exploration of a potential sale or change of control transaction. No assurance can be given that such a transaction will be consummated in the near term or at all.
Formation of Search Committee of the Board directed at supporting CEO succession
The Board of Directors has also formed a Search Committee, which is tasked with developing near term plans for CEO succession. The Search Committee has retained a leading executive search firm for the purpose of recruiting and exploring potential candidates for the chief executive officer position. This search isunder-way and the company is optimistic that this search can be completed with the announcement of a new CEO during the third quarter of 2019.
A10 Networks also announced today the planned retirement of Lee Chen, president and chief executive officer of A10 Networks, to take place upon the appointment of a successor. Chen commented, “A10’s future remains bright and I continue to be very excited about the innovations we have brought to market and our position in security, 5G and multi-cloud. However, I have decided that now is the appropriate time for me to transition the company to a new leader. I will work closely with the Board and management team to help ensure a smooth transition.”