WIND Mobile and Public Mobile are in the news once again, with executives moving around like musical chairs. WIND Mobile today announced many changes at their helm, with former founder, Anthony Lacavera, moving to an Honorary Chairman of the WIND Mobile board and Alek Krstajic, former founder and CEO of Public Mobile taking over as the new WIND Mobile CEO. Mr. Lacavera said, “We are very happy to welcome Alek as our new CEO. His strong operating history will further strengthen WIND as the company solidifies its place in the Canadian wireless landscape. Since 2008 we have worked relentlessly to bring true competition to the Canadian wireless industry. Now, with new leadership and well over 800,000 happy customers, we begin an exciting new growth phase.” Alek responded, “I’m very excited to join WIND and to work with the executive team and board to establish WIND Mobile as the most customer-oriented wireless provider in Canada.”
Pietro Cordova, the outgoing interim CEO was in charge of the transitioning WIND Mobile’s away from Vimpelcom Group and will now return to Vimpelcom for his next project. Lacavera said, “I would like to thank Pietro for his great contribution to WIND over the past three years. He has brought a steady and consistent hand to WIND, helping the company to continue growing during the very difficult period of the protracted Vimpelcom exit from its investment.” WIND Mobile will also add Rob MacLellan of Northleaf Capital as Chairman of the WIND Mobile board. David R. Carey from T-Mobile US and Hamid Akhavan from Telecom Ventures LLC were both appointed to the new board of WIND Mobile.
Lacavera said, “The addition of such huge talents to WIND Mobile’s leadership team and board of directors further reinforces our position within the Canadian telecom landscape. This group brings with it a wealth of expertise, robust experience and strong knowledge in their respective industries and will prove to be extremely valuable to WIND Mobile as we continue to grow our presence in Canada.”
Ever since the TELUS purchase of Public Mobile in 2013, Krstajic was waiting to make his next move. It seemed to be the right time as TELUS was set to re-launch Public Mobile as a “self-service value brand.” WIND Mobile has developed strong ties with T-Mobile US over the years with their roaming agreements, and with Carey joining the board, it will help solidify that bond even more. Krstajic and Lacavera love the path T-Mobile has taken with their Uncarrier strategy to increase subscribers and will probably use the same method with WIND Mobile.