- The Cobra Charmer: Chicago-based Cobra Electronics Corp., a maker of two- way mobile communications products, named Michael Smith as its CFO. Smith was a managing director in the corporate finance group at Mesirow Financial Inc., a provider of financial services. Gerry Laures, VP of finance and corporate secretary, and previously Cobra’s principle financial officer, will continue as the company’s principal accounting officer and a member of its board. He will report to Smith.
- Leaving the Valley: InSilicon Corp., a San Jose, Ca.-based provider of communications technology for systems on a chip announced the resignation of William E. Meyer, executive VP and CFO. Meyer has served as an officer of InSilicon since December 1999 when the company was created from a division of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. He was Phoenix’s CFO from June 1999 to December 1999 and its VP of finance and controller from February 1998 to June 1999. While InSilicon searches for a successor, Meyer will continue in a consulting role.
- Ghost in the Machine: BigMachines, Inc., a Foster City, Ca.-based provider of eBusiness for engineered systems software announced the appointment of Denis Slavich, as VP and CFO. Slavich was most recently VP, CFO and director of KMR Power Corporation, an IPP power project developer. He has also served as SVP, CFO and director of Bechtel Group Inc. and as VP of Marketing at Fluor Daniel.
- Foot Out The Door: Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. announced that its CFO Richard A. Stein has left the company to pursue other opportunities. News of the resignation came shortly after the company’s fourth quarter revenues fell 5 percent. The Bethesda, Md.-based company also said it was undertaking certain steps to cut costs as it more closely matches cashflow with its debt obligations. Hanger, which specializes in orthotics and prosthetics services, said it has engaged search firm Korn-Ferry to look for candidates for the CFO position.
- James Therapy: ZymoGenetics, Inc, a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company, appointed James A. Johnson as its new CFO. Johnson most recently served as SVP and CFO at Targeted Genetics, and prior to that was VP of finance at Immunex Corporation.
- Learning the Ropes: USA Education Inc., a top provider of student loans and also known as Sallie Mae, appointed Jack Remondi as EVP and CFO. He was previously the company’s senior VP of finance. Company sources were not immediately available to say who Remondi was replacing.