Pullen named CEO at Tellabs

Mobile and fixed-line network company Tellabs Inc. has tapped Robert Pullen to step in as CEO.
Pullen will replace Krish Prabhu, who announced his resignation in November following a plunge in quarterly revenue. That report was followed by last month’s news that Tellabs would cut 225 employees in addition to the 125 workers who lost jobs in September’s restructuring.
Pullen joined Tellabs in 1985 as an electrical engineer and most recently served as VP and general manager of global services. He was backed unanimously by the company’s board.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to build on Tellabs’ long tradition of focusing on customers and providing innovative products and services,” Pullen said. “We are well positioned to help service providers succeed as they advance their networks to deliver new triple-play and mobile services.”
The 45-year-old executive will have his work cut out for him, however. Tellabs has suffered through two miserable consecutive quarters and is in the midst of a restructuring aimed at saving $100 million by the end of the year.
Shares of Tellabs were down 9 cents, or a little more than 1%, by mid-day following the announcement.