EMS Technologies, CEO part ways

By Péralte C. Paul

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

EMS Technologies, the Norcross-based maker of software used in satellite and ground networks, said Wednesday its chief executive of three years, Paul B. Domorski, has resigned, effective immediately.

Domorski, who also is president, is resigning from the board of directors.

Neilson "Neil" A. Mackay, the company's executive vice president and chief operating officer for the past year, will succeed Domorski, the company said in a statement announcing the change.

John B. Mowell,  EMS Technologies' chairman, said the change is not because of the company's recent earnings performance.  The company reported last week it made a third-quarter profit of $5.3 million, down from $6.1 million a year earlier.

"It was a tough decision; it was not instigated by earnings," Mowell said in an interview Wednesday. "This is not a reaction to an over-weakness on the part of Paul. He is a great leader, and he is a great man."

Domorski, who was hired three years ago, built up the company's brand and created value for shareholders, Mowell said. But the needs of the company -- whose clients include Georgia Pacific, Northrop Grumman Raytheon, the U.S. Army and NATO -- changed.

Mowell said the board opted to put Mackay at the helm because the company needs a leader with the technology and engineering background in addition to the business credentials.

"He has a great vision as to where this business should go," Mowell said of Mackay, whom he's known for 20 years. "He attracts strong engineering talent because he's well-known and the engineers want to work with him."