Aviat Networks recently announced the appointment of Peter Smith as President and CEO. Stan Gallagher, who took on the additional role as Interim CEO in September 2019, will remain with the Company, serving as COO and Principal Financial Officer.
Smith brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in business management, having most recently served as Senior Vice President, US Windows and Canada for Jeld-Wen, one of the world's largest door and window manufacturers. Prior to Jeld-Wen, he served as President of Polypore International's Transportation and Industrial segment, where he implemented a strategy for growth in a stagnant business and helped prepare the former public company for sale to the Asahi Kasei Group. Previously, he served as CEO and a director of Voltaix, a specialty chemicals manufacturer and supplier to the semiconductor industry, until its sale to Air Liquide.
Earlier in his career, Smith held a number of executive leadership positions at Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies including Cooper Industries (wireless business), Dover Knowles Electronics (semiconductor components business) and Honeywell Specialty Materials (display business). In these roles, he held various responsibilities in the areas of operations, sales and marketing, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.
Smith has a Bachelor of Science degree in Material (Ceramics) Engineering from Rutgers University, received his PhD in Material Science and Engineering from Rutgers University and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University.
