Altium has a new CEO - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2014, 11:35:24 pm
content: http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140116/pdf/42m4l2vzvrcvyb.pdfAram Mirkazemi is the new CEOThe coup is complete.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2014, 11:46:45 pm
content: But when they split, didn't they already.....Oh.Hey, one benefit of Keyshite's new name - I'll stop seeing "Altium" and reading "Agilent"...

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 01:41:16 am
content: But I'll still keep confusing Altium and Atmel, and accidentally call it Protel! Here's an idea Altium, change your name to Keyshite!

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 02:22:16 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 15, 2014, 11:35:24 pmHe has been there since 1977 with a break to set up Morfik and sell it to Altium. Doesn't sound like much of a new broom to do any clean sweeping.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 03:25:30 am
content: Quote from: Rufus on January 16, 2014, 02:22:16 amExcept that AFAIK, he never believed in the FPGA dream. So that's not a bad thing at least.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 03:44:34 am
content: Reading the blurb.The new CEO seems to be a keen participant in the short term incentive plan, but not the long term incentive plan.<sarcasm>That can't be normal can it?</sarcasm>

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 03:51:23 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on January 16, 2014, 03:44:34 amIt also says he is the largest Altium stock holder presumably from an exchange for Morfik so any long term plans he has would seem to be well incentivised.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 07:45:31 am
content: Quote from: Rufus on January 16, 2014, 03:51:23 amHe already had a large percentage before the Morfik acquisition, which gave him another 15% of the company. So yes, heavily invested in the success of the company, at least until he decides to cash out.

author: hiddensoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 07:49:25 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 16, 2014, 03:25:30 amYAY maybe they might release a free lite version based on your video. It might pay to send him a link to the video

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 08:24:29 am
content: QuoteI take your point, but is he reallylong termincentivised, if he can sell at any time?I also think his $600,000 package is excessive for the size of the company he is managing.What is Altium's net profit loss since purchasing Morfik? His incentive package may turn the annual profit into a loss.If he is already incentivised by his shareholding maybe he should take a token management fee of say $1.I will change my 'hold' recommendation to 'sell'.<disclaimer> Let the truth be known, I know virtually nothing about this company. </disclaimer>BTW if this is not off topic, is Morfik any good? Anyone used it?

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2014, 06:14:42 am
content: $600K per year?!Another example that being a talented engineer does not pay compared to being a CEO or CFO.As a friend once told me (he now consults - more money for less hours), engineers are their own worse enemy when it comes to salary - they are usually too inept socially to demand what they are worth. His opinion, not mine.Many experienced electronics engineer are worth their weight in gold, but earn only a reasonable salary. Certainly nothing like the Altium CEO, or an ABC reporter!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2014, 08:27:44 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on January 16, 2014, 08:24:29 amNo idea if it's any good, but it's dead, virtually no one uses it.Morfik had IIRC about $40K (yes K) in yearly sales when Altium bought them for 15% of the company, which at the time was several $M

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2014, 08:41:56 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on February 01, 2014, 06:14:42 amThe likes of Kerry O'Brien and Tony Jones earn every cent IMO.Is 600K reasonable for the CEO of publicly listed company with sales of circa $60M ? I dunno, but it doesn't sound that obscene. I think Nick was on about half that though.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2014, 08:43:35 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on January 16, 2014, 08:24:29 amSeems not, by his own admission:http://www.altium.com/resources/investor_announcement/asx_releases/ASX%20Announcement%20Aram%20Mirkazemi%20to%20succeed%20Kayvan%20Oboudiyat.pdfQuote

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 12:02:35 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 16, 2014, 03:25:30 amI agree David. Altium wasted millions on their so called "standardised platform" for FPGAs. Many PCB engineers don't have a need for FPGAs and if they do, they will most likely use the OEM FPGA software as they can rely on the final outcomes. Also, should they have any problems, the manufacturer will guide them through to a successful outcome.PS: Loved you video "Altium Entry Level PCB Tool Rant"

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 12:32:45 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on March 12, 2014, 12:02:35 pmTry hundreds of millions, almost the entire company fortune, and most of the companies focus for a decade or more.