8×8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT), a leading
cloud provider of voice, video, chat and contact center solutions for
over one million users worldwide, today announced that its Board of
Directors has appointed Todd Ford, Chief Financial Officer at Coupa
Software, as a new independent director, effective June 1, 2019.
Ford is Chief Financial Officer at Coupa Software (NASDAQ: COUP), a
leader in Business Spend Management, where he oversees the company’s
financial strategy and operations. Ford joined Coupa pre-IPO in 2015 and
has a proven track record of developing and executing value creation
strategies and SaaS business models that accelerate revenue growth and
maximize shareholder return.
“8×8 has a unique opportunity to significantly expand its value serving
multiple large and growing markets where cloud-based technologies are
actively disrupting traditional software models,” said Todd Ford. “The
Company has invested smartly in technology and has built a formidable
single communications platform that is highly valued by enterprises that
are moving to the cloud. 8×8’s compelling portfolio of voice, video,
contact center and collaboration solutions is why Coupa switched to 8×8
voice and contact center services across its global operations
footprint. I’ve always admired the 8×8 team’s transparency, execution
and drive that has shaped their success to date, and I look forward to
supporting them to accelerate growth and increase shareholder value.”
“We are thrilled to attract some of the most distinguished and
successful executives in the technology industry to help us capitalize
on our technology platform and unique market position to deliver on our
growth trajectory,” said Vik Verma, Chief Executive Officer at 8×8, Inc.
“Todd has extensive financial and operational experience with deep
expertise in scaling enterprise-focused SaaS companies, and we are very
excited to have a leader of his caliber join our Board.”
Ford brings a strong financial and executive leadership acumen to the
8×8 Board of Directors. Prior to joining Coupa, Ford served as Chief
Financial Officer of MobileIron, where he led the company through a
successful IPO in 2014. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial
Officer and President of Rackable Systems Inc. (acquired by HPE) where
he led the start-up from $20 million in revenue to more than $350
million in revenues as a publicly traded company. Ford also held various
management and financial positions with several technology companies. He
earned a B.S. in Accounting from Santa Clara University.
Beginning June 1, 2019, Ford will serve as Chairperson of the Audit
Committee, succeeding Ian Potter who will remain as a member of the
Audit Committee. Ford will also serve as a member of the Compensation
Committee.
Additional Board Updates
In conjunction with Mr. Ford’s appointment, the Company announced that
Major General Guy Hecker, Jr. has retired from the Board effective May
6, 2019. In connection with his retirement, General Hecker stepped down
from several Board positions, including his duties as Lead Independent
Director, and as a member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and
Governance Committees.
“I would like to thank Guy for his more than two decades of service and
invaluable contributions to the company and to delivering shareholder
returns. His leadership, guidance, and commitment to 8×8 have
contributed greatly to our success. On behalf of the Board and
management team, we wish Guy all the best in his retirement and we will
miss him,” said Verma.
Also effective May 6, 2019, existing Board member Dr. Jaswinder Pal
(“J.P.”) Singh has been appointed Lead Independent Director, a member of
the Nominating and Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation
Committee. Dr. Singh joined the Board in 2013 and he currently serves as
a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University and is
co-Founder of CaaStle, an Internet technology company in the retail
space.
In addition, existing director Monique Bonner has been appointed as
Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee, effective May 6,
2019. Ms. Bonner serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer of Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) and joined the 8×8 Board in
2018.
About 8×8, Inc.
8×8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT) cloud solutions help businesses transform their
customer and employee experience. With one system of engagement for
voice, video, collaboration and contact center and one system of
intelligence on one technology platform, businesses can now communicate
faster and smarter to exceed the speed of customer expectations. For
additional information, visit www.8×8.com,
or follow 8×8 on LinkedIn, Twitter,
and Facebook.
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