SAN DIEGO-Leap Wireless International Inc.’s reported founder Harvey White will retire as chief executive officer of the wireless communications company he started five years ago as a spinoff from technology giant Qualcomm Inc. White will continue to serve as CEO until a replacement is found after which he will continue to serve on Leap’s board of directors.
“As the company enters a new chapter and I approach my 70th birthday, it is time to plan for the future leadership of the company,” White said in a statement.
Leap, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year and currently serves more than 1.5 million wireless customers through its Cricket Communications subsidiary, said it has initiated a search for a new CEO that will include both internal and external candidates and expects to fill the position by the end of the year.
